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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Yossef ben Simcha
If we look closely at the story of Joseph we will discover that the Torah develops this idea. And it is no coincidence that this portion is read at Chanukah time; this proximity contains an important lesson.
When the Torah describes the pit into which Joseph was thrown, it says "The well was empty; there was no water in it" (Genesis 37:23). The sages explain, "There was no water in it – but it did contain snakes and scorpions." Outwardly this verse presents a description of reality, but it also contains a great and lofty idea.
"Water," in prophetic literature, is an allusion to the essence of Jewish life – the Torah. And if somebody thinks that it is possible to detach oneself from the Torah and to replace it with some other culture, he is mistaken: If there is no water, there will be snakes and scorpions. If the Jewish people do not fill their hearts with divine content – the only content that provides us with a truly good and happy life – in its place will come "snakes and scorpions," i.e., moral bankruptcy and corruption, all sorts of infirmities, and a loss of the true Israeli nature.
This is what happened in the days of Chanukah. The Hellenists believed that they could exchange the faith of Israel with Greek philosophy; but this, in fact, only led to "snakes and scorpions." Today, too, to our great chagrin, some people would like to blur the identity of our nation so that it resemble other nations. This is a terrible mistake, and we can see the results for ourselves – the rise in violence among teenagers and the collapse of numerous behavioral norms.
This Chanukah, may God help us draw strength and spiritual fortitude from the spirit of the Maccabees who stood up to the Greeks and the Hellenists. May we be strengthened through the Torah, and may we come to realize that only in this manner will we succeed in strengthening the spiritual state of our youth. Let us strive to give a Jewish character to our state and let us elevate the national spirit and fill it with the strength needed to face of all those who rise up against us.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
