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Yaakov’s camp was not just comprised of shepherds but apparently also of people who joined with him as the representative of belief in monotheism. This follows the tradition of his grandparents, Avraham and Sarah, who traveled with the "souls they made in Charan" (ibid. 12:5). The theft of Lavan’s terafim (idols) should also be seen in this light.
As the journey continued, Yaakov turned to his encampment ("his household and all who were with him") with the following directive: "Remove the foreign gods that are in your midst and purify yourselves ... and we shall go to Beit El and make there an altar... They gave Yaakov the foreign gods in their midst and the earrings... and he buried them under the elah tree that was in Shechem" (ibid. 35: 2-4).
Who was Yaakov appealing to who had idols? Rashi, the Rashbam, and the Ramban say it refers to the whole group, who had taken from the booty of Shechem. He asked them to separate themselves from anything that could be related to idol worship. It is not clear, according to this, why a distinction is made between his household and those who were with him.
The midrash on the words that mention idols says that this is an indication that Yaakov had accepted converts like his grandparents. Thus, there were two requests. Rachel had to get rid of her father’s terafim and members of the broader camp had to remove their idols. These were people who were in the process of converting but had not yet totally purged themselves of idolatrous tendencies and possessions. It is fascinating to see that Yehoshua, upon his entry into Eretz Yisrael with the new nation, including converts who came with them from Egypt, had a "rally" with the people where he urged them to "remove the foreign gods that are in your midst." Where did it take place if not in thesame place, "under the elah" in Shechem (Yehoshua 24: 23-26)
Rabbis in Midrash
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The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
