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Shmini
Parashat Hashavua - Torah Portion - Shmini
articles on Shmini
Between Hope and Humanity
Read the weekly Lesson for Parashat Shemini by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.
Limits
A Shiur by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks for the weekly portion "Shmini".
Why Eat Kosher?
What's the connection between working in a recording studio and eating non-kosher food?
Fire: Holy and Unholy
The holy is that segment of time and space God has reserved for His Presence. Creation involves concealment. About Nadav and Avihus death.
Lessons on Shmini
THE WORLD IS READY FOR ISRAEL'S BODY-SOUL HARMONY- Parshat Shmini
The modern world has only recently discovered what Judaism always knew: the body and soul nourish each other. Today we all know children on diets to stay away from certain physical foods which negatively influence their personality or behavior, e.g. certain artificial colorings increase impulsivity and restlessness, especially among ADHD. Conversely, modern medicine knows we can psychosomatically mentally "think" ourselves into being physically sick, which will even show up on our physical blood-tests. Psychosomatic illnesses are the "missing link" that proves physical actions (mitzvot) aren't just symbolic. If the mind can make the body sick through stress, the body can "heal" the soul through structured, purposeful physical actions. We are essentially using the body's hardware to "reprogram" the soul's software. This interplay between the physical and spiritual are an essential part of Rav Kook's Torat Eretz Yisrael whose time has come, but does this apply outside of Israel and to gentiles, as well?
Lessons
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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.
Rabbis on Shmini
