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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
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.
