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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
Why is there such stress on the sha’ar, both as a reference to a key place within a city and in regard to an exchange rate? One should realize from the outset that the court traditionally sat in the sha’ar and that one of its responsibilities was to ensure that the proper business practices would be kept. Let us put the recent history of the time in perspective and see how the gateway played a role in this whole story.
The king at that time was Yehoachaz, son of Yehu, who followed Hashem’s instructions to destroy the idolatrous infrastructure of Achav’s time and breaking ties with the Tzidonim, from where the wicked princess/queen Izevel came. This seemed to have been the cause of a major economic downswing, which was a major and vexing change from the material success at the time of the wicked Achav. The king expressed his great anger to the prophet, who apparently did not live up to his end of the bargain (see threatening language, ibid. 6:31). Yehoachaz, seeing such tragedy as mothers agreeing to give up their children to be used as food, remarked: "This evil is from Hashem. Why should I plea before Him anymore" (ibid.:33). In other words, the king gave up on Hashem with the claim that there is no judgment or judge, considering that he had followed instructions and the situation deteriorated.
The answer to the king was the sha’ar. Throughout Tanach, that place symbolized the place of judgment. Although the Divine judgment seemed to be absent, in fact Hashem was preparing the miraculous salvation, one that would come from the sha’ar. It came with the help of the four lepers who sat outside the sha’ar, and the food ended up going back to normal prices at the sha’ar. Those who doubted Hashem paid the price for their doubts at the sha’ar. It was proven that there was a Judge in the sha’ar and that He would prove His justice to those who would wait.
Hopefully, we can internalize the messages of patience and belief that are epitomized in this story.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
