The Divine Presence

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1. Eliyahu on Mount Carmel (Part 7)

   The Nation's Response

   Rabbi Elchanan Samet

   “The Lord is God” is the nation’s response to the universal element of the challenge. The capturing of the prophets of Ba’al is their response to the national one. The prophets were not killed on Mount Carmel which is a place of an altar. The killing of the prophets appears to be a prophetic command which is attributed to Eliyahu and not the nation.

2. Parshat Shemini

   Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 36 minutes

   Why is the Torah unclear about the cause of the deaths of Nadav and Avihu? What is the reason for God's harsh reaction? How are we to understand the tragic event? Examining the story within its larger context provides answers to these questions, and teaches us about the function of the Kohanim as facilitators of God's presence in the world.

3. Haftarat Yitro and Kedusha in Context

   Erev Shabbat Parshat Yitro

   Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 18 minutes

   Haftarat Yitro contains a selection that is part of Kedusha, an important part of liturgy, which is perhaps  not appreciated enough. Another part of Kedusha is found in Yehezkel, and we compare the two, looking at the verses in their respective contexts.

   Both prophets  are describing majestic visions in which angels and the like play significant roles, but different aspects of the Divine Presence are manifest. Yeshayahu describes the earth as filled with God's presence, and Yehezkel, prophesying in exile, describing God's presence as being more concentrated somewhere else. 

   Yehezkel's message is that God did not abandon the Land of Israel, even during exile.  Even though it seems like there is a big distance - as if God's presence is somewhere far above- He will yet eturn to dwell within us.

4. In Response to Death

   Rabbanit Sharon Rimon

   What is the nature of Aharon’s reaction to the deaths of his sons, and of the exchange between Moshe and Aharon? What is the significance of Aharon’s silence? Through a close examination of the episode we can understand these responses and come to a realization that these deaths may have been necessary in order to teach the nation the proper caution and respect towards God's sanctity.  The connection between "mortals hewn of material substances" and Divine sanctity requires a special Divine service; it involves special rules.  Any deviation from these rules is dangerous, but drawing closer in accordance with the rules is truly part of God's will.  It is this that instills man with power and sanctity, raising him up and completing him.

5. Tetzaveh: Where Is God In a Physical World?

   Rabbi David Fohrman |

   Last week's parsha video outlines the mishkan as a 'face' of God, and this week, he delves into the paradox - how can God be both outside of space and time, and in our physical world? Rabbi Fohrman argues that maybe the face of the mishkan gives us the answer, and begins to explore the similarities between humankind and God.

    

    

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6. Pekudei: A Giant Chiasm In Sefer Shmot

   Rabbi David Fohrman |

   In this week's video, Rabbi Fohrman explores an incredible chiasm that encompasses more than 15 chapters, and asks, how do the pieces of this puzzle, especially the focal point at the center, come together to help us understand how the Torah builds together?

    

    

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7. Ramban on Tetzaveh - The Shechinah within Israel

   Rabbi Ezra Bick | 36 minutes

   In this shiur, we examine one of the most important comments in Ramban's commentary to the Torah. What does it mean that God took Israel out of Egypt to dwell in their midst? Was the construction of the Mishkan really the purpose of the Exodus? Why would this be, and what does this mean? Is the Divine Presence dwelling in the midst of the nation for the purpose of God, Israel, or the other nations - or some combination thereof?