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We will try to chart a course between the extreme positions above. We have explained that the patriarchs were not just heads of a family but were "political" heads of a large constituency of many thousands. Avraham’s followers converted to belief in monotheism. He negotiated and interacted on high levels with local kings and superpowers and led his followers to victory in battle over major armies.
Throughout Tanach, the following assumption appears in the background of stories. Marriage between monarchal families was used to forge ties between kingdoms. The more powerful side often took the daughter of the weaker king. This is behind Shlomo’s marrying of Paroh’s daughter and the midrash that Avraham’s servant/concubine, Hagar, was Paroh’s daughter. (See also Daniel 11:6.)
Avraham referred to Sarah as achoti, which usually means a biological sister. However, we find that an achot can refer to a more intimate male-female relationship (see Shir Hashirim 4:10). Some scholars have claimed that Sarah’s transition from Avraham’s wife to his achot indicates a divorce of sorts. (The Mishneh Halachot (VI, 263) independently cites from the Gaon of Ostravska that Avraham had indeed formally divorced Sarah so as not to cause her and Paroh to violate adultery.)
Avraham was forced by famine to bring his group to Egypt and to capitulate to Paroh regarding the terms of their stay. Paroh demanded to be able to take one of the women in his entourage as a wife, and as Avraham feared that he might take Sarah, he formally divorced her and made her an achot. That is why the difficult midrash (Tanchuma, Bechukotai 3) said that she was elevated in status when she was taken by Paroh to be a wife. At the end, miracles forced Paroh to admit that Avraham was the more prominent leader, as the teacher of monotheism, and gave over his daughter to be a servant in his household (Bereishit Rabba 45).
Let us pray that the world will understand that the real dominion is Hashem’s and all will want to attach themselves to His Kingdom.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
