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Beit Midrash
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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
R. Avraham ben-tziyon ben shabtai
Eretz Yisrael has forever been at the center of conflict; and the struggle for possession of the Land has always been an ideological one, for he who maintains possession of the Land is seen as the authentic follower of the true path, the heir and inheritor of the Divine quality. The Sages teach that the dispute between Cain and Abel was over Eretz Yisrael , for they wished to establish once and for all which of them was the true successor of Adam. They wished to determine which of them represented the essence, like a kernel, and was therefore inheritor of the Land, and which, in turn, was to be considered like mere husk. The outcome was that Abel was murdered, and the kingdom left without a successor, as it says, "And Cain went out from before God" (Genesis 4:16). That is, he left the Land of Israel, as he himself indicates: "Behold, you have banished me today from the face of the Land, and I am to be hidden from Your face." Cain did not inherit the Divine quality and did not merit possessing the Land, but was banished from it. Not until the arrival of Seth was anybody fit to carry on the unique Divine quality of Adam; Seth, then, was the first to inherit the Land. Later, conflict arose between Isaac and Ishmael over possession of this land, and, in the end, it was Ishmael who was rejected, Isaac inheriting Eretz Yisrael . Following this, jealousy arose between Jacob and Esau over the Land, and, in the end, Esau was rejected, despite his might and Jacob's weakness.
And so it has always been, all of the wars over Eretz Yisrael have been for the same essential reason: the battle to receive by inheritance the Divine blessing, the struggle to determine who is the true heir of the Divine quality. This was what brought about the crusades, and this is what drove the Muslims to conquer Eretz Yisrael .
Yet, as the Sages teach, "That which befell the fathers is an indication of what will befall the children." Isaac took possession and Ishmael was rejected. Jacob possessed the Land and Esau was cast out. And here, in our time, the Land has returned to its real owners - Am Yisrael . All of the attempts of the children of Ishmael and Esau to prevent the redemption of Am Yisrael are bound to result in failure. Even the inner weaknesses of the people of Israel - lack of spirit, weariness, exhaustion due to the long and difficult exile - will not prevent the redemption of Israel, for the time of the redemption has arrived. There is no clearer sign of the redemption than the Land giving its fruit abundantly, plentifully, and happily to Am Yisrael as they return to her from the Diaspora. The abundance of fruit in Israel today is such that there is even fruit left over. The Land has prepared enough fruit for even more Jews. She is waiting for all of her children and gives fruit plentifully. The plenty is not simply "extra fruit," rather there is a lack of Jews in Israel today, but they will come and they are coming all the time. All of this talk of withdrawal and the relinquishing of land are in vain. This land has always belonged to Am Yisrael , and always will, as God said, "To your seed have I given this land" (Genesis 15:18) - and the word of God is eternally binding.
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.
