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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
The Rambam (ibid. 1:1) delineates the matter in very clear terms. "The great beit din in Jerusalem is the basis of the Oral Law. They are the pillars of rulings and from them go out laws and justice to all of Israel. About them the Torah promises: ‘based on the Torah they shall teach you’- this is a positive commandment. Whoever believes in Moshe and his Torah must rely in the matters of religion on them."
A closer look at the parasha uncovers that the role of the Great Sanhedrin was even greater than meets the eye for national welfare and, as a result, for religious welfare. The Sanhedrin which was to be located in the "place that Hashem will choose," in the Beit Hamikdash’s lishkat hagazit, became the general spiritual capital of the world. This center of Torah and halacha was the central location of Israel and in fact of the world. According to the Yerushalmi, the Sanhedrin was even the authority regarding matters of philosophy in addition to that of halacha (Sanhedrin 11:3).
This Torah portion has a parallel in Yeshaya (2), in the famous prophecy about the End of Days. The two sections share the following words: davar (thing), aloh (go up), yaroh (teach) and mishpat (judgment). In general there are many indications that the first chapters of Yeshaya correspond to the parshiyot of Shoftim and Ki Teitzei.
According to this approach, we can see a special element to Yeshaya’s prophecy. From the Torah, as explained by the Rabbis, we see that Jerusalem is the center of the Jewish world. Yeshaya teaches that in the time of world peace, the nations will recognize Jerusalem as the center of world spirituality. How fascinating it is that at a time when the nations were so entrenched in idol worship in the lowliest manner, Yeshaya prophesied that all of humanity would experience a massive transformation. Again, the center of this change would be Jerusalem, the place that Hashem chose.
Let us pray that this realization will grow in the hearts of Israel and all of humanity.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
