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Beit Midrash
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The Red Heifer portion deals with the purification of ritual defilement resulting from contact with death. Interestingly, the sages teach that the ashes of the Red Heifer bring atonement. In other words, the Red Heifer not only purifies defilement, it also atones for sin.
Yet, what is it that the Red Heifer atones for? After all, becoming defiled through contact with the dead is not a sin. Why, then, should such a person need atonement?
In order to grasp the profoundity of atonement affected through the Red Heifer, we must look to the words of our beloved mentor, Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook (Orot, Yisrael Utchiyato 10).
There was once an individual who sought to create a "new Middle East," one in which peace and progress would prevail. The beauty of this goal is that it encompasses not only individual and national aspirations, but also the broader realm of international and regional aspirations.
However, according to the Torah, such aspirations are not nearly as broad as those of the Jewish people. In the words of Rabbi Kook, "The Jewish people aspire to ameliorate the world and everything in it." In other words, Judaism strives to mend the Middle East, the Far East, the West, North, and South, this world and all worlds, this generation and prior generations. This is the aim and aspiration of the Jewish people, and no less than this.
This idea is alluded to by the Red Heifer. As mentioned, the sages say that in addition to purifying, the Red Heifer brings atonement. What does it atone for? It atones for the ultimate source of impurity, for it is death that causes impurity and death came into existence because of sin. Were it not for sin there would be no death, and life would continue forever. The original sin brought death and, it follows, caused impurity.
The role of the Red Heifer, then, is not merely to purify the impure, but to atone for and rectify the source of impurity, the source of existence's decline. The task of the Red Heifer is to purify and elevate existence to its original lofty and pristine state.
This is the aspiration of the Jewish people today, striving to rebuild itself and its land. It is not a narrow, national aspiration; it is an aspiration that embodies true, ultimate goodness and penetrates the very root of existence.
To bring a new spirit of life to the entire world. To build a new world. This is the ultimate purpose of Israel's redemptive aspiration. This is the ultimate goal of the Messiah whose name "preceded creation" and whose task it is to rectify all of creation from its very source, from the light that preceded sin. How fortunate we are to be part of this process.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
