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Beit Midrash
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- Parashat Hashavua
The Rambam says that Mashiach will restore the dynasty of David, rebuild the Mikdash (Temple), ingather the exiles, and renew the mitzvot that fell into disuse during the time the Mikdash was destroyed (sacrifices, Shemitta, yovel ...). He says that whoever denies Mashiach’s coming not only denies the Prophets’ words but also the Torah’s. One of the places where the Torah refers to Mashiach is our parasha, Balak. In his prophecies about the future, Bilam talks successively about the triumphs of King David and of Mashiach. "I see it and it is not now" refers to David; "I view it and it is not close" refers to Mashiach. "A star will appear from Yaakov" refers to David; "A tribe will arise in Israel" refers to Mashiach. The Rambam presents additional verses referring to each and substantiates their relationships to the leaders. This alternating presentation of the two periods portrays Mashiach as a reflection of the period of King David. This stress in the Rambam’s approach comes to strengthen two of his important theses.
Firstly, every major idea must have a source in the Torah; the Prophets cannot introduce entirely new ideas alone. The second is that the Rambam accepts the Amora, Shmuel’s opinion that in Mashiach’s time nature will follow its normal patterns. The difference in the period is that the world will no longer subjugate the Jewish Nation. Accordingly, prophecies such as "the wolf will live with the lamb" can be understood only as parables, in that case, of cooperation between nations. The Rambam (Melachim 12:1) says that these parables’ exact meaning will be fully clarified only then.
The Ra’avad argues and says that the laws of nature will change in Mashiach’s time and that the p’sukim are for the most part intended literally. Therefore, when Yeshaya says that Mashiach will "smell with the fear of G-d and will not judge by the sight of his eye..." this is a real test. He posits (ad loc. 13:3) that it was used to evaluate the possibility of Bar Kochva being Mashiach (he failed). To the Rambam’s rule that the Prophets cannot introduce new concepts the Ra’avad responds that the Torah discussed a change in nature when it said, "I will remove bad animals from the land" (Vayikra 26:6), which he takes to mean that predators will become tame. The Rambam will explain that the development of human society will cause wild animals to retreat from human inhabitation. The Ramban has a third approach, that the violence of the animals will disappear from the Land, as it was in Adam’s time, whenever the people will be free of sin.
Let us hope to find out soon which opinion is correct.
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.
