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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- D'varim
The book of Dvarim suffered differing fates over the millennia of Jewish life. In the Book of Mlachim we read that it was apparently hidden away from public view and perhaps even knowledge for a period of time until it was rediscovered by the High Priest Chilkiyah during the reign of the King of Judah, Yoash. Scholars have long wrestled with the problem of how such an occurrence could have happened - an entire book of the Torah lost and forgotten from public view and knowledge. Many theories have been advanced but I know of no satisfactory answer to this occurrence, except for the simple truth that if attention is not paid to the Torah then it may disappear even from the midst of the kingdom of Judah. Perhaps because of this occurrence, Moshe described for us the mitzvah of hakhel that occurred once ever seven years when the king of Israel would read the entire book of Dvarim to the assembled masses of Israel that assembled in the Holy Temple’s courtyard for the occasion. He foresaw that there would be a day that Dvarim would be forgotten - it is not pleasant to listen to criticism, to be reminded of faults and lost opportunities. People prefer to put such scrolls away in storage and not be troubled by them. Therefore at least once every seven years the people have to be reminded of the contents of the book of Dvarim. The book of Dvarim is the wakeup call to the Jewish people - remember what happened and don’t repeat those errors once again.
The Jewish people have a custom that on the night of Hoshana Rabah, the conclusion of the Days of Judgment and Mercy, the book of Dvarim is read publicly. This is undoubtedly a remembrance of the mitzvah of hakhel in Temple times. But it is more than that. It is the penance of the Jewish people for once having dared to think that the book of Dvarim could safely have been forgotten. It is our form of apology to Moshe for ignoring all of his final words to us and for allowing ourselves to be deluded into thinking that we could pick and choose between the words of the Torah and adopt only those phrases that were pleasant to our ears and soothing to our egos. The book of Dvarim is read in the late summer months - a time of vacations and a slowing of life’s usual hectic pace. Because of this, the book of Dvarim does not perhaps receive the attention it deserves in our lives and souls. Its reading occurs at a wrong time in our calendar of yearly life. Too bad, for it really is important for us to study and absorb the lessons of this great and holy book. Moshe speaks to all generations. We should pay attention to his words
Harav Avraham Yitzchak Hacohen Kook Weren't Rav Kook's Positions Unique Among Rabbis?
Translated by Hillel Fendel
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.