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For those of us who have chosen to make Aliyah, we naturally feel a sense of accomplishment. However, Aliyah is just step one - and that’s exactly what Parshat Re’ay is telling us.
In this week’s Parsha, there are no longer discussions about whether Israel is the right place for the Jewish people - we’re past that, and the Parsha reflects that reality. "For you are crossing the Jordan to come and possess the land that Hashem, your G-d, gives you; you shall possess it and you shall settle it."
With this out of the way, the Parsha addresses why it is so important for the Jewish people to be in Israel. "Only at the place that Hashem, your G-d, will choose from among all of your tribes to place His name there, shall you seek out His presence and come there."
The Torah is, of course, referring to the Beit HaMikdash, the permanent resting place of G-d’s presence in this world, and the spiritual, cultural, religious and political center of the Jewish people.
There are many reasons to live in Israel. It’s nice, in December, to see Chanukiyot instead of Christmas trees, and to hear people speaking Hebrew, Lashon HaKodesh, everywhere one goes.
However, the Torah is telling us that there is a fundamental reason for living in Israel, more important than simply being part of the majority culture. Only in the Land of Israel is the destiny and future of the Jewish people being played out, and only those living here have the ability to take an active role in making it happen.
It’s time to get off the sidelines, and start becoming relevant to the Jewish future!
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
