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Beit Midrash
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Yosef, the handsome, talented slave in Egypt, was the victim of sexual harassment, but according to many commentators, was also enticed by it. His master’s wife cornered him when people were away and almost succeeded in seducing him. According to one opinion of Chazal, he entered the house that fateful day with intentions to give in to her advances (see Rashi, Bereishit 39:11) and was able to overcome his temptation only when the vision of his father appeared to him. What merit brought about such unusual help, help that so many people need and so few get? Furthermore, where in the p’sukim did our Rabbis see Yaakov’s telepathic intervention?
Looking back at Yosef’s life, we see several factors that make Yosef deserving of Hashem and Yaakov’s help. First, they shared an unusually deep relationship, even for a father and son, which was fortified by joint Torah study. Yosef’s initial refusals were accompanied by invoking the concept of chillul Hashem that a moral lapse would cause ("and I shall sin to G-d" - Bereishit 39:9). Furthermore, he displayed proper halachic distancing, which are both practically and spiritually important in avoiding sin. "He did not listen to her to lie beside her or to be with her" (ibid.:10). The Ramban says that the latter phrase refers to avoiding discussions with her, which was important once he knew of the dangers. The Rashbam says that he was careful about the laws of yichud (a man and woman not being in a secluded place). When one tries his best, Hashem is more likely to help him avoid slipping.
Regarding textual hints, there are a couple of interesting possibilities. On "the day," the Torah reports that "none of the members of the household were in the house." Why doesn’t it say that no one was in the house but Potiphar’s wife? This may be a hint that, in some form, someone was in the house - Yaakov. We can also look for repeated uncommon words in the parasha. (Much is made of Yehuda’s saying "haker na" (please recognize) which Tamar later "threw back in his face.") In the story of Yosef, "vayema’en" (he refused) comes up twice. Yosef refused Potiphar’s wife’s propositions. But previously, it was Yaakov who "refused to be consoled" over Yosef’s disappearance and apparent death (ibid. 37:35), saying that he would "go down with his son." Cognitively, he said that he would go down to the grave. However, the connection he clung to with Yosef brought him down with Yosef to Egypt in the form of a vision. The loving father’s stubborn refusal to "move on with life" may have been enough to keep his son safe. Perhaps we could suggest, "he refused [and as a result he was] consoled."
May all who need extraordinary salvation for their loved ones be consoled as they pray and, if not, be consoled with other positive matters.
Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
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.
