What the Jews Did Not Tell the Dalai Lama

Thank you Eda Sirota and David Schottenstein for allowing us to have the highlight of our week!

You're doing a great job. The shiur is worth waiting for. Thank you.

We heard some of the reviews from people that attended last night's dinner in Miami and heard you speak. B'H it was fantastic, dynamic electrifying, invigorating, enthusiastic, inspiring, uplifting and very impressive. It left a tremendous positive vacuum. A warm yasher koach.

Yasher Koach, great shiur

What a beautiful concept --to be a true, solid “Ark”, portability is essential. You think that’s where the concept of flexibility (“mental movement”) as an imperative element to a solid mental and emotional health is coming from?

I have to find out where and how they placed poles on the menorah? Where there rings on the Menorah?

I loved the explanation, a beautiful and inspiring idea. Thank you.

Is that amazing story about Edward and Rabbi Adler true? Or is it legand?

Edward was born at 10:48 a.m. on 9 November 1841 in Buckingham Palace. His mother was Queen Victoria, the only daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. His father was Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, first cousin and consort of Victoria. He was christened Albert Edward (after his father and maternal grandfather) at St. George's Chapel, Windsor on 25 January 1842. His godparents were the King of Prussia, his great-uncle the Duke of Cambridge, his first cousin once-removed the King of Portugal, his aunt the Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, the Dowager Duchess of Saxe-Coburg-Altenburg and his great-aunt Princess Sophia. He was known as Bertie to the family throughout his life.

to Rabbi Y.Y. Jacobson and the Entire team of people that pull this off every Week.the Technical responsiveness is wonderful.... and to the Schottensteins, what a tremendous merit to sponsor this! thank you!

The following is a quote from: http://www.revach.net/article.php?id=1443 The Rabbi Who Saved the Monarch The queen of the British Empire, Victoria, and her husband Prince Consort Albert were visiting family in Hanover, Germany, when the unexpected happened; Queen Victoria went into labor two months before her due date. Moshe Montefiore, who was a financial advisor to the British government, arrived at the Court of Hanover during this time, and found the members of the Court in an uproar. The premature birth seemed inevitable, but it would pose a major problem. If the baby was born on German land, his right to succeed the throne may be endangered, since he would then be considered a German citizen. Later that afternoon, Montefiore went to daven in the shul of Rabbi Nathan Adler, a Rav in Hanover. After mincha, he related the dilemma of the British Royal family to Rav Adler, and Rav Adler had a brilliant suggestion. He advised that the Queen be placed on an English ship, which would travel three kilometers from German land until it reached international waters. The baby, who would hopefully cooperate with these plans, would be born on a British ship in international waters, and would thereby be considered as if he was born on British land. Montefiore rushed to the Court to relay this advice, and the royal attendants rushed Queen Victoria to the British warship, the Arc Royal. Later that night, the Queen gave birth to a boy, who was destined to become King Edward VII. Many years later, Queen Victoria saw a notice from the Dukes Place synagogue in London. The shul was seeking applicants for a rabbi, which was considered a very prominent position. Many rabbis from all over the world applied for the position, including Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch. The Queen, however, was partial to a certain applicant, whose name she recognized from years before, Rabbi Nathan Adler. She sent a note to the shul, stating her preference for Rabbi Adler, who had come to her aid many years before. The shul did choose Rabbi Adler, but the Queen was not yet satisfied. She proposed that Rabbi Adler become the Chief Rabbi of England, or even of the entire British Empire. A bill was voted in Parliament to decide whether the British Empire should elect a chief Rabbi, and a majority chose Rabbi Adler as Chief Rabbi of the British Empire. Rabbi Adler filled the post of Chief Rabbi for forty-five years. And throughout Queen Victoria's long reign (she lived until eighty-two), the Jews were treated positively, and were graced with more rights than Jews in other European countries. (Chance Encounters M.L. Mashinsky) See link for sources and disagreements

Here is a quote from the BBC: The office of Chief Rabbi was developed as a counterpart to the Archbishopric of Canterbury and endorsed by Parliament. Whilst there had been Chief Rabbis of cities and towns in the past, the 19th century saw the development of the office of the Chief Rabbi of the British Empire. Famously, Queen Victoria was said to have intervened in the election of the first Chief Rabbi, Nathan Adler. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/subdivisions/modernorthodoxy_1.shtml Jennifer Hall of Telztone Israel, an author, librarian, and biographer relates: My oldest story concerns Queen Victoria and Chief Rabbi Nathan Adler when he was Rabbi of Hanover in the early 1840s. I was told this story by the 6th generation down, the granddaughter of the granddaughter of Chief Rabbi Adler. http://jewishwriting.com/pages/articles/hel-spring.html

The Menorah in Arch of Titus has poles underneath it. However, the Rebbe said that this could not have been the Menorah of Temple. http://wiseasserpents.com/menorah10.jpg

Thank you Rabbi Jacobson for yet another wonderful class. I think of halacha in the same vein. It always stays true to its source, foundation but in its infinity it can move with the times. Thank you Dovid and Eda for your generosity, and lastly, for the comment above; Wikipedia is not a reliable source!!!

After 24 hours of fighting with my computer, I finally got the shiur -- maybe that's also Jewish Chutzpah for Torah. Rabbi Jacobson, so many beautiful concepts. Of course the story of Rabbi Adler and Queen Victoria is captivating, but the phrase,"A portable homeland" is perfect and been borne out through the millenia. A passuk, a mishnah, sugya, etc..has been and is the country in which we all live together. Your shiur continues the theme. People all over the globe are learning Torah together in real time, albeit, different time zones. Thank you again. And I want to express gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Schottenstein for enabling this spiritual and intellectual journey.

The Chasam Sofer, in the name of his rebbe, HaRav Noson Adler, offers a powerful and timely insight into the symbolism of the Aron. The tablets that were in the Aron were symbolic of the entire Torah. The two Keruvim (cherubs) that were atop the Aron - two figures facing each other yet each looking down - represent two Talmidei Chachamim (Torah scholars) engaging each other in study while drawing their spiritual and intellectual nourishment from that which is written on the tablets. The Badim, the two staves that were affixed to the sides of the Aron represent the Machzikei Torah, the supporters of Torah its institutions, its teachers, its students. The Talmud (Sotah 35a) teaches us that, The Ark bore its bearers and Rav Adler extends the symbolism by stating that while it seems the philanthropists are supporting and providing for the Torah scholars, in fact it is quite the opposite: Rav Yehudah said in the name of Rav: Every single day, a Heavenly Voice emanates from Mount Horeb and says: the entire world is sustained on behalf of My son, Chaninah (Berachos 17b). The Alshich HaKadosh approaches the importance of the Badim from the perspective of the obligation incumbent upon the Talmidei Chachamim. He understands the Torahs instruction that the poles must always remain attached to the Aron as a lesson that the supporters of Torah must not be allowed to feel detached from Torah - They shall not be removed from it. There must be a strong, unbreakable connection between the Torah leader and his flock; the laity must be allowed to live constantly connected to and influenced by their spiritual leader.

Thank you Rabbi Jacobson for another inspiring shiur. I am having difficulty rewinding and fast forwarding the shiur.

I just want to share how moved I am by all of these extraordinary classes, they are deep, stimulating, powerful, and finally emotionally healing and soothing, they relate to real life. I cherish the source sheet and bless you to continue this more and more. Thank you Schottensteins for making this happen, G-d bless you!

Rabbi Jacobson, perhaps you would consider giving a Talmud class weekly on the site? You are one of the best Talmud teachers out there, I think many people would love learning Gemarah with you each week. I, for one, would love it and I know many more who would.

What a great vort by the Alshich -- that baalei batim can't just get away giving money, they must be always connected to the Aron, always nourished and inspired by Torah learning. What a lesson!

I assume that this hoped-for hypothetical Gemara shiur would be for women, as well. In fact, I am sure!

This is good stuff. I would like to see what else I've been missing and refer people to specific shiurim. How do I access your archives? Thank you very much.

As this website is relatively new, the archives are still being developed, but you can access the past few lectures on the upper left of your screen and the essays are on the right.

An understanding of the uniqueness of the Tabernacle, and the special function which it served, will explain the Ark's permanent need for travel accessories. Unlike the Temples which were stationary in Jerusalem, the Tabernacle was mobile and was carried around throughout the "great and awesome desert, [which was inhabited by] snakes, vipers and scorpions, and drought where there was no water."2 In a deeper sense, the desert represents a spiritual wasteland, a place devoid of Torah -- which is compared to life-sustaining waters. Such a place is the natural habitat for "snakes and scorpions" -- all sorts of spiritually dangerous influences and diseases. Unfortunately, the people who find themselves in a spiritual desert are oblivious to the toxicity of the environment, and completely unaware of the existence of healthy lands which are blessed with streams of the purest water. It is the obligation of the tribe of Levi, those devoted to G-d's service, to pick themselves up, take along the Ark and the Divine Presence, trek through the desert and bring the quenching waters of Torah to the doorstep of the lost Jew. Once the person has tasted the sweet waters, there's no turning back to the desert routine… The Levites would certainly rather spend their time swimming in the refreshing waters of the Torah, but it is their duty to approach their fellow Jews, no matter where they may be, and revive their souls. This is why the poles were never removed from the Ark. The Torah must always be ready to be rushed to the assistance of a thirsty Jew. The scholars must never consider themselves above running into the desert to save the Jew who is dying from spiritual thirst. By Naftali Silbeberg http://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/462120/jewish/The-Portable-Torah.htm

איתא במסכת יומא נד, א: רב יהודה רמי: כתיב: (מלכים א ח,ח) [וַיַּאֲרִכוּ הַבַּדִּים] וַיֵּרָאוּ רָאשֵׁי הַבַּדִּים [מִן הַקֹּדֶשׁ עַל פְּנֵי הַדְּבִיר], וכתיב [סוף הפסוק] וְלֹא יֵרָאוּ הַחוּצָה [וַיִּהְיוּ שָׁם עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה], הא כיצד? נראין ואין נראין (כדמפרש ואזיל בברייתא: שהיו דוחקין ובולטין בפרוכת, ונראין כשני דדי אשה שבולטין מתחת חלוקה). תניא נמי הכי: 'וַיֵּרָאוּ רָאשֵׁי הַבַּדִּים; יכול לא יהו זזין ממקומן? תלמוד לומר: וַיַּאֲרִכוּ הַבַּדִּים; יכול יהו מקרעין בפרוכת ויוצאין? תלמוד לומר: וְלֹא יֵרָאוּ הַחוּצָה! הא כיצד? דוחקין ובולטין ויוצאין בפרוכת (הפרוסה כנגד פתח שבמחיצת אמה טרקסין, והפתח באמצע אמה טרקסין היה במקדש ראשון) ונראין כשני דדי אשה, שנאמר: (שיר השירים א,יג) צְרוֹר הַמֹּר דּוֹדִי לִי בֵּין שָׁדַי יָלִין והנה על פי זה י"ל ענין הבדים שהיו תמיד אצל הארון כדי שתהיה בחינה זו במשכן ובמקדש, בחינת שני דדי אשה, להראות חיבתו של הקב"ה אל כנס"י. כך נראה לומר

What a deep but easily understood shiur. I can not thank you enough.

hebrew comming soon,wen????

Thousands would listen to a Hebrew class, please!

I think a Talmud class would be amazing. Thousands of Jews would begin learning Talmud as a result. That is my opinion.

אתם חייבים להרים בשיעורים הבאים את הסאונד של צליל ההקלטה שאפשר יהיה לשמוע ברור.

The sound on the site is very low - I thought perhaps it's a problem with my computer but I don't have problems with other online video. I listened to a lecture on this site three weeks ago and the sound level was fine, but now it's so low I can barely hear. I noticed that someone else wrote a similar comment. Hope it can be fixed - Thanks

See Bais Yaakov Ishbitz p. 249b(498). For the historical spirituality see Rabbi Wolfson, see Imrei Yosef Spinka, Tzeror Hamor.

Baruch HaShem

I think "Yedidi Nefesh" is Chabad shira.

Extraordinary mystical insight into the reality of Torah for us, everywhere. You really encouraged me with this teaching. Thank you. I look forward to many more in depth studies at this site.

interesting class. "Portable Torah," but it says "Veshachanti betocham," meaning in each person, which tells us that each Jew is a moving mikdash. What then is the difference between the Torah--the aron-- and the Jewish people?

It comes down to the difference between a soul and Torah. Both are sacred, both are receptacles for the Divine presence, but they still cannot be compared. A soul, after everything, is a creating being; Torah is the Divine will and wisdom one with Him. Hence, Tanya chapter 4 says that a soul unites with G-d via Torah, though the soul is itself a “part of the Divine” (Tanya ch. 2)? The answer is, that a soul is a “part,” representing the fact that it assumes an identity of a created being (“Elakus naaseh nivra,” in the terminology of Chassidus), vs. Torah which remains Divine. Hence, the Talmud in tractate Berachos (22) says that Torah cannot become impure. A soul, in contrast, can become impure. (Cf. Likkutei Levi Yitzchak on Tanya ch. 4, where he explains this with a stunning insight of a change of the order of Rambam's words in ch. 2 vs. ch. 4). This is an elaborate discussion beyond the confines of a single comment.
The point is thus clear: The “veshachanti besocham” in the Aron is far deeper than the “vesachanti” in the Jew.
To be sure, on deeper levels, we talk of the soul being higher than Torah, but that is the ultimate source of the soul within the Essence.

1. According to all the official sources and biographies, King Edward VII was born at 10:48 in the morning, on 9 November 1841, in Buckingham Palace - London.
2. Edward was not Queen Victoria's first child. He had an older sister, Victoria, born on 1840.
3. The first Ark Royal ship sank in April 1636; its successor was built in 1913.
4. Rabbi Adler was elected (almost unanimously - 121 votes out of a total of 143) as the Chief Rabbi of the British Empire in 1844, by an assembly of representatives of the three most important London congregations.

The story about Rabbi Nathan Adler and the Ark Royal is not more than an urban legend or "Bob'e Ma'ise".