YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ha'azinu
What is the message that lies in this call of Moshe to heaven and earth? The Torah after all does not engage in needless hyperbole. I sense that the Torah comes to point out to us the unnatural state of existence of the Jewish people throughout the centuries.
Just as there is a visible order and food chain in nature so too does there appear to be such an order in human history and its processes of civilization. Even the strongest and largest empires and superpowers eventually weaken and disappear from the stage of human events.
There is apparently a food chain that applies to nations and ideologies as well. The heavens and their galaxies, stars, planets and suns operate with an unchanging exactitude that influences human lives here on our small planet.
The earth revolves on its axis in an exactitude that preserves it from the fire of the sun and the frost of space. The opinion of Rambam is that the laws of nature are eternal and immutable.
The so-called miracles that occur within nature are built into nature itself and are not to be seen as violations of the laws of nature themselves. The heavens and earth are governed by laws that never change and this type of inexorable law also applies to human history and events.
To all of this idea that there is nothing exceptional in nature and in human events there is one great exception - that of the story of the Jewish people over all of its millennia of existence.
The continuing wonder of Jewish existence and resilience in the face of impossible conditions and brutal enemies, of internal weaknesses and divisions, and external foes who proclaim their intent to destroy the Jewish people and state, is the greatest proof of the eternal existence of the covenant between God and the Jewish people.
Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman in his debate with the Church and Jewish apostates in 1263 Barcelona stated that the greatest proof of the uniqueness of the Jewish people is its survival against all odds. How much more would he insist on the correctness of this argument today, almost eight centuries later.
It is the very regularity of heaven and earth and all of nature that they govern that serves as the counterpoint for the inexplicable and unnatural existence and creativity in world history and affairs.
The Jews are the exceptional unique people in the world and their exceptional existence is based completely upon God’s covenant with them. Thus the heavens and the earth are the correct and natural witnesses to the supernatural existence and triumph of Israel over the long centuries. Moshe’s witnesses and covenant remain firm until today.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
