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Beit Midrash
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The Or Hachayim points out that the Torah commands three successive mitzvot: coming to Israel, planting trees to provide sustenance and beautify the land, and the restriction on the fruits. The Dubna Maggid observes that just as one of God’s first actions in the Garden of Eden was planting trees, so too when we enter Eretz Israel, we must imitate Him and immediately plant trees. Settling the land of Israel is a mitzvah, and developing its economy is an integral part of this duty. But the question arises why is it so important to immediately plant after arriving in the country?
The Maggid explains that through the mitzvah of orlah the Torah teaches us an important prerequisite for successful aliyah: It is crucial that one have the proper mindset when pursuing business interests in Israel. A person must honestly decide whether he seeks financial success so that he may live a life of luxury and comfort, or whether his motive is truly le-shem shamayim, for the sake of Heaven?
Economic development in Israel is a tremendous mitzvah but it poses serious danger: "Lest you eat and are satisfied and you build homes...and you forget the Lord your God" (Deut. 8:12-14). Our parashah teaches us that when making aliyah one must not forget God. Controlling one’s desires the first three years and praising God in the fourth is meant to remind us that economic prosperity is not supposed to be a vehicle for personal aggrandizement, but a means for realizing loftier ideals.
Adam was created outside of Eden and then planted therein. Restrictions were placed on the fruit that he was permitted to eat, but he failed to observe them. It is up to the people of Israel, who were forged into a nation outside of Israel and then planted in their Garden of Eden, to repair the sin of Adam (Vayikra Rabba 25).
May it be God’s will that we succeed in living a holy and meaningful life in our potential Garden of Eden - Israel. Let us remember why we are here and have no need for external reminders!
Chana Tannenbaum teaches Torah in many different venues in Israel. She and her family made Aliyah ten years ago and live in Nof Ayalon.
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
Army and War "If Haredim Should Serve in the IDF, So Should You"
IDF Service for Young Jewish Men from America
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.