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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
A special element of our service of Hashem in this period is the saying of Selichot, which revolve around the recitation of the Yud Gimmel Middot, the thirteen attributes of Hashem, which serves to bring us success in our prayers. These attributes begin with the repetition of Hashem’s main Name. Note that the first (after the name of the author, David) and last words of L’David are Hashem’s Name. This Name is the classic expression of Hashem’s attribute of mercy. The gemara (Rosh Hashana 17b) says that the doubling of the Name indicates that Hashem relates to us in this merciful way both before and after possible sin. To strengthen the connection between L’David and the Yud Gimmel Middot we mention that Hashem’s Name appears in the mizmor exactly thirteen times.
The pasuk from L’David, "For He shall hide me in His booth (sukko) on a bad day, He will conceal me in His tent, in a rock (tzur) He will raise me up" contains two hints to a lofty event. Hashem taught Moshe the secret of reciting the thirteen attributes and its great power at the time that He placed Moshe in a tzur and covered him (sakkoti) with "His Hand"(Shemot 33:22). David, in his time of troubles, also turned to Hashem with the request of mercy. He was aware that the small crevice in the rock was the only opening to attain life in an unconstrained manner.
The thirteen attributes are Hashem’s answer to Moshe Rabbeinu’s request to show him His Glory. Hashem told Moshe that it is impossible to see His face but that He would call out His Name and would have mercy for whom it is possible to have mercy. What is it that Moshe wanted to receive and was unable to? In our mizmor, David says: "To You my heart said: ‘Seek out My face.’ Your face, Hashem, I shall seek" (ibid.:8). Although Hashem said that we are not able to see His face, still it is permitted and necessary to seek it. David has an answer to the problem. "...I believed that I could see Hashem’s goodness in the land of life" (ibid.:13). Here and now, we cannot see Hashem, but in the true land of life, in the world to come, it indeed is possible.
For forty days and nights Moshe Rabbeinu held "negotiations" with Hashem on matters of seeking His mercy and an intimate relationship with Him. These days were from Rosh Chodesh Elul to Yom Kippur, at which time Hashem pronounced "I have forgiven." We pray that we too will receive these good tidings.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
