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Beit Midrash
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- Parashat Hashavua
Therefore, at the second communication at the burning bush, Hashem equipped Moshe with tools, the staff and the miraculous signs, to convince Paroh and the nation. In the first stage, Bnei Yisrael believed based on the signs, which reached their height at the splitting of the sea. The great miracles lead to the revelation at Sinai, where they heard Hashem speak, after which time their belief was based on the dibbur (speech). If we look at the text of Shemot, we see that before Sinai the Torah introduces Hashem’s speeches with "vayomer" (roughly, He said) and afterward it is with "vayedaber " (roughly, He spoke).
Let us now approach the thesis from other sources. After the giving of the Torah, Moshe’s staff disappears from the text, except for an appearance in Bamidbar. We can learn something from R. Yehuda’s break-up of the plagues that afflicted Egypt into three groups, represented by acrostics (detzach, adash, b’achav). The staff is involved in all of the first group’s plagues and in two of the last group. In the middle group, whose middle plague is dever (pestilence- the same letters as the word for speaking), the staff does not appear. Instead, the root davar appears in different forms, four times. Once it refers to the pestilence itself. Once it is going on the fact that Bnei Yisrael were not affected by the plague. Another time it refers to the thing that Hashem did in the land. The root also comes up in the manner of speech to Paroh (compare to Shemot 7:26). When speech is used or felt, the staff is not necessary.
Let us pray that our nation will be strengthened in its belief and will return to the level of belief that existed at Sinai. About this event, the Torah says: "I will come to you in the midst of the cloud so that the nation will hear when I speak to you (Moshe) and in you too they will believe forever" (Shemot 19:9).
Parashat Hashavua Parashat Hashavua: “With a Strong Hand He Will Expel Them from His Land
Harav Shaul Yisraeli – from Siach Shaul, p. 205-6
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.