Vayeitze: Yaakov's Struggle to Become Israel

by Rav Yehuda HaKohen, visionmag.org

Before becoming Israel, Yaakov had to first spend several years in exile learning to be more like Esav.

Listen to the audio/read the transcript here (31 min)

Galut & Geula, Part 6 of 8

 The Holiness of Medinat Yisrael

by Rav Tzvi Fishman, bringthemhome.org.il

[To read Part 5, click here.]

At the time of the Torah giant, the Gaon of Vilna, the Jewish People had managed to survive 1,500 years of exile without the living Soul of the Nation shining in our midst. Except for the great Torah giants of each generation, the Jewish People in exile don’t recognize this living Clalli soul, or experience its powerful influence, and the life of the exiled Jew revolves around the private side of life and one’s family and personal affairs. How then, in this moribund, truncated state, is it possible to encounter the highly energized level of national life infused with Divine vitality that more truly characterizes Am Yisrael in its Land? How is it possible to identify the sparks of Geula if one is totally alienated and disconnected from this transcendental level of existence?

Toldot: The Prophetic Destiny of Rivka's Twins

by Rav Yehuda HaKohen, visionmag.org

How do the personal traits of Esav and Yaakov find expression in the rival civilizations they produced?

Listen to the audio/read the transcript here (19 min)

Galut & Geula, Part 5 of 8

The Holy Soul of Zionism

by Rav Tzvi Fishman, bringthemhome.org.il

[To read Part 4, click here.]

Our last few essays have dealt with the vast difference between Jewish life in the exile and Jewish life in the Land of Israel, as the Jewish People rise from the “dry bones” of Galut to mega-powered nationhood in the Promised Land. The ideas we have presented are indeed very deep, requiring a penetrating understanding of Torah, which the great Sages of Israel have illuminated for us throughout history, reminding us that the Torah is far broader than the “four cubits of halacha” which exist in the exile. True Judaism, the Torah of Eretz Yisrael, is a national Torah. At the time of Redemption, our learning demands deeper insights, and the realization that Judaism is far more than performing individual commandments like kashrut, tefillin, and Shabbat in alien, gentile lands.

In the light of the matters we have explained, let’s return and examine the history of Zionism beginning with the period of the “Enlightenment.” Once again, we will quote freely from Rabbi Moshe Bleicher’s book, “Binyan Emunah.”

Hayei Sarah: Insights into Avraham and Sarah

 by Rav Zalman Melamed, yeshiva.co

This week's Torah portion of Chaye Sarah begins with a detailed accounting of the days of the Matriarch Sarah's life: "And Sarah's life was one hundred years and twenty years and seven years – the years of Sarah's life" (B'reshit 23,1). Asks the Zohar: Why does Sarah, of all the women in the Torah, merit to have her years counted? We don't hear how many years Eve lived, nor Moshe's sister Miriam, nor the other Matriarchs – so why only Sarah? What is special about her?

Hayei Sarah: Sarah's Victory

 by Rav Yehuda HaKohen, visionmag.org

Following her death, Sarah's powerful legacy continued to influence Avraham and play a major role in their family's development into a nation.

Listen to the audio/read the transcript here (16.5 min)

Galut & Geula, Part 4 of 8

Are you Yearning for Salvation?

by Rav Tzvi Fishman, bringthemhome.org.il

 [To read Part 3, click here.]

In our last few essays concerning the difference between Galut and Geula, we learned that when Am Yisrael is exiled, its national, Clalli soul is drawn up to Heaven by G-d, so that it won’t become polluted by the impure forces and husks (kleipot) that hold sway outside of the Land of Israel. Not only are the Jewish People in exile, the Shekinah (Divine Presence) is in exile as well. In this situation of exile and national destruction, the Divine National Soul which invigorates the life of the Nation no longer pulses within us, and, according to the Prophets and Sages of Israel, we become like corpses in a graveyard, like dry bones lacking life.

Galut & Geula, Part 3 of 8

Why Mourn About Exile?

by Rav Tzvi Fishman, bringthemhome.org.il

 [To read Part 1, click here.]

The Maharal of Prague is universally recognized as one of our greatest Sages. In his famous book, “Netzach Yisrael,” he explains that Jewish life outside of the Land of Israel is a temporary and unnatural situation of exile that has no value in and of itself, but which is rather only a state of waiting, anticipation, and preparation to return to the Land of Israel (“Netzach Yisrael,” Ch.1).

Vayeira: Sarah’s Role In The Hebrew Mission

 by Rav Yehuda HaKohen, visionmag.org

What challenges was the matriarch Sarah forced to overcome in order to play her part in establishing the Hebrew nation with Avraham?

Listen to the audio here (21 min)