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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
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- Shlach Lecha
"Shlach". The Rav traced the events beginning with Bahaalotcha and ending in Korach, which explain the sequence surrounding the story of the Meraglim. Needless to say it is impossible to present them in the short space allotted for this Dvar Torah. I therefore have chosen to present one point of the Rav’s discussion, which I believe is very relevant to our situation in Eretz Yisrael today.
The Rav ztl, asked why Hashem chose to command the Mitzvah of Challah after the events of the Meraglim. Would it not have been more appropriate to place this mitzvah together with the other tithes that Hashem commanded us to give - namely Trumot and Maasrot.
The difference between them is that while we plant and reap the fruits of the earth, the finished product is not up to us but to Hashem. Whereas in the case of challah , we take the raw materials with which Hashem endowed us and we produce the finished product. Trumot and Maasrot are a "Chovat Hakarka", a requirement of the growth, which Hashem produces. Challah is a requirement of the results of our own creation.
The Rav told the story from the Midrash which recounts the discussion between Turnus Rufus and Rabbi Akiva.Turnus Rufus asked Rabbi Akiva if Hashem detests the uncircumcised why did He not create man circumcised from birth. Rabbi Akiva answered him by asking him what is preferable, the grain or the cookie. Turnus Drufus replied that the product was more desireable. Rabbi Akiva then responded that we do not find cookies growing on trees. Hashem provides us with the raw materials and it is our responsibility to seize the opportunity to use these materials in order to create. So it is with circumcision.
The Mitzva of Challah teaches us that prosperity is earned based on our willingness to share the product of our efforts.
So it is with Eretz Yisrael. The meraglim failed to understand that the ‘Segulah " - "Uniqueness" of Eretz Yisrael should be united with the "Segulah" "Uniqueness"of
Am Yisrael. Moshe Rabeinu wanted the Meraglim to see the connection between Eretz Yisrael and Am Yisrael. It is only through this awareness that Eretz Yisrael becomes our Eretz Zavat Chalav U’Dvash. The effort that we put into creating a unique Eretz Yisrael will determine whether Eretz Yisrael becomes our land and heritage.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
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.
