YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ki Tavo
By the simple review of the past events of the lasr seventy years of Jewish life, we are able to see clearly how these absolutely irreconilable and opposite events and moods can exist in simultaneous disharmony. The Holocaust was the complete fulfillment, down to the last horrid detail, of the prophecy foretelling the tochacha. Rashi points out that no one in the world would be ready to accept the Jews within their homes and borders, even as laborers and servants. Death would be the only acceptable solution to the "Jewish problem." As Moshe will state later in the book of Dvarim " the hidden things are known to God our Lord alone" but nevertheless "what is revealed to us that we must persevere and observe the words and commandments of the Torah for us and our descendants." So we can only accept the tochacha as a reality and not attempt tortured explanations and justifications.
However, the idea of the return of the people of Israel to the Land of Israel has also been translated into reality over the past decades. And we read in this week's parsha, a Jew who is priveleged to share in the bounty and blessing of the Land of Israel is obligated to make a public acknowledgement of one's gratitude and thanks to the God of Israel for living in such a time and place. The Torah teaches us to abhor ingratitude.
Life provides all of us with ample annoyances and problems to cause us discomfort. This is as true in the Land of Israel as anywher else. I have just returned from the United States where I experienced Israelis who now live there sheepishly tell me that their quality of life is no better if not even somewhat worse in New York than it was in Jerusalem. Most people are distracted by the mundane and eventually unimportant aspects of daily life.
The Torah bids us to view life in a broader perspective and more meaningful fashion. God wishes, so to speak, a more sophisticated and wise appreciation of the gifts granted us by Him. In our time, the Land of Israel is one of the greatest gifts granted unto us. We cannot be guilty of treating it with ingratitude and complaint, no matter the frustrations and problems of everyday life here. Balancing the polarities of the messages of the parsha remain a great challenge to us. May we be worthy of that challenge and its solutions.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.
