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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Naso
The Ktav Sofer (1815-1873), son of the famed Hatam Sofer, connects this commentary on the three-fold nature of peace to a seemingly unrelated passage in Masekhet Berakhot, which describes three objects that serve as harbingers to peace: a large pot, a river, and a bird. A person who sees one of these three things in a dream can anticipate peace.
Connecting the three-fold nature of Bamidbar Rabba's discussion on peace with that of Masekhet Berachot, the Ktav Sofer draws a direct parallel between the types of peace and the harbingers of peace. The first kind of peace - peace when you come into your home - is symbolized by a large pot, representing the peace of an individual family gathered around a shared table. The second type of peace - peace when you go out from your home - is symbolized by a river and represents peace on a national scale. Rivers sustain entire societies, demarcate national boundaries and, although they are in constant motion, their basic contours remain the same. The last type of peace - peace with all of mankind - is symbolized by a bird and represents global peace. Birds migrate from place to place and call the entire world home, emphasizing the interconnectedness of every living thing.
For the past sixty years, beset by war and constant troubles, Israel has pursued the dream of national peace - peace when you go out from your home. The Ktav Sofer, drawing inspiration from Bamidbar Rabba and Masekhet Berakhot, teaches that a dream of national peace must be interconnected with dreams of shalom bayit as well as harmony for all humanity. May the next sixty years in Israel's history bring with them this three-fold blessing of peace.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts