Ezra
New way of connecting to Judaism without the Beit Hamikdash
What is Torah learning?
- It is important to come up with new solutions to solve difficult problems. Our Torah learning allows us to understand the ways of our ancestors and connect to Hashem without the Beit Hamikdash.
Researched the Jewish people's past
What is making informed decisions?
- It is important to make an informed decision, have responsibility, and be a hard worker.
A leader(s) who is supportive, encouraging, and inspiring. This is captured in the pasuk "וְהִתְנַבִּ֞י חַגַּ֣י נביאה [נְבִיָּ֗א] וּזְכַרְיָ֤ה בַר־עִדּוֹא֙ נביאיא [נְבִיַּיָּ֔א] עַל־יְה֣וּדָיֵ֔א דִּ֥י בִיה֖וּד וּבִירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם בְּשֻׁ֛ם אֱלָ֥הּ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עֲלֵיהֽוֹן׃" which means "Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet and Zechariah son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem, inspired by the God of Israel."
Who are Chagai and Zecharia?
- A kid is studying hard for a test and doesn't seem to grasp the material. A parent should be supportive and encourage them instead of yelling at them and putting them down for doing poorly.
He was ignorant to the fact that Artaxerxes made a decree to prevent building
What is a lack in leadership?
- He didn't do his research which could have put his people in danger because the Jews had been rebellious.
He said that Cyrus was inspired through ruach hakodesh.
Who is Rashi?
- Cyrus acted on his inspiration and instinct like a true leader should.
17 generations going back to Aaron
What is Ezra's lineage?
- It is important to learn from your family's values and use them to help your leadership.
He allowed his people to oppose the construction using force
What are the necessary steps to protect your people?
- He made sure that his people were safe by ensuring that the Jews stopped building.
A leader needs who respects the religious values of their people in order to gain the respect of their people. One who makes moral decisions and goes with their instinct. Nobody is less important than someone else, especially if they have been outcast.
Who is Cyrus?
- EX: a teacher needs to respect every student even if some of them don't participate or don't get amazing grades.
When he granted the Jews permission to resume building the Beit Hamikdash, he commanded his commissioners to provide them with everything they could need. He was fully involved.
What is being a committed leader?
- It is important to follow through on a decision. He was fully involved and committed to his choice to let the Jews rebuild the Beit Hamikdash.
An example of good morals.
What does returning the vessels to the Beit Hamikdash show?
- It is important to always do the right thing, even if it means giving up some of your prized possessions.
Who was Ezra equivalent to at the time the Torah was given (if he had been alive)?
Who is Moshe?
- Ezra was such an incredible person that he would have been trusted to give the Torah. This teaches us that we can all accomplish more than we think we are able to.
He took his people's letter into consideration
What is a good listener?
- It is important to care for your people and try to think about their opinions and voices. What they say matters even though they are of lesser status.
A leader that does research and makes decisions that will benefit and protect others, not just himself.
Who is Artaxerxes?
- EX: If a child wants to go to a party, the parents should check that there won't be alcohol or drugs in order to protect their kid and benefit them in the future.
The five things he provided for the Jews.
What are wheat, salt, oil, wine, and animals?
- An example of how he was fully committed and involved. He provided the Jews with supplies they would need and supplies to sacrifice in the Beit Hamikdash.
Although he was not Jewish, he recognized that his belief was not everyone else's.
What is being a respectful leader?
- It is important to respect other cultures and religions. When placed in a high position, you need to ensure that regardless of race or religion everyone is of equal importance.
This pasuk "כִּ֤י עֶזְרָא֙ הֵכִ֣ין לְבָב֔וֹ לִדְר֛וֹשׁ אֶת־תּוֹרַ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה וְלַעֲשֹׂ֑ת וּלְלַמֵּ֥ד בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל חֹ֥ק וּמִשְׁפָּֽט׃" which means "For Ezra had dedicated himself to study the Teaching of the LORD so as to observe it, and to teach laws and rules to Israel."
Which pasuk best represents Ezra's Torah learning and teaching?
This pasuk "וּמִנִּי֮ שִׂ֣ים טְעֵם֒ וּבַקַּ֣רוּ וְהַשְׁכַּ֔חוּ דִּ֚י קִרְיְתָ֣א דָ֔ךְ מִן־יוֹמָת֙ עָֽלְמָ֔א עַל־מַלְכִ֖ין מִֽתְנַשְּׂאָ֑ה וּמְרַ֥ד וְאֶשְׁתַּדּ֖וּר מִתְעֲבֶד־בַּֽהּ׃" which means "At my order a search has been made, and it has been found that this city has from earliest times risen against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been rife in it."
Which pasuk best represents Artaxerxes' knowledge and protection regarding his province?
A leader who implemented their own lessons, traditions, and a new way of thinking to solve problems.
Who is Ezra?
- EX: The captain of a basketball team needs to come up with new innovative drills during practices that will focus on the important things that will help them win their games.
This pasuk "בִּשְׁנַ֨ת חֲדָ֜ה לְכ֣וֹרֶשׁ מַלְכָּ֗א כּ֣וֹרֶשׁ מַלְכָּא֮ שָׂ֣ם טְעֵם֒ בֵּית־אֱלָהָ֤א בִֽירוּשְׁלֶם֙ בַּיְתָ֣א יִתְבְּנֵ֔א אֲתַר֙ דִּֽי־דָבְחִ֣ין דִּבְחִ֔ין וְאֻשּׁ֖וֹהִי מְסֽוֹבְלִ֑ין רוּמֵהּ֙ אַמִּ֣ין שִׁתִּ֔ין פְּתָיֵ֖הּ אַמִּ֥ין שִׁתִּֽין׃" which means "In the first year of King Cyrus, King Cyrus issued an order concerning the House of God in Jerusalem: ‘Let the house be rebuilt, a place for offering sacrifices, with a base built up high. Let it be sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide,"
Which pasuk best represents the Jews' savvy response towards Darius and the people telling them to stop building?
This pasuk "וְהַמֶּ֣לֶךְ כּ֔וֹרֶשׁ הוֹצִ֖יא אֶת־כְּלֵ֣י בֵית־יְהוָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹצִ֤יא נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּר֙ מִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖ם בְּבֵ֥ית אֱלֹהָֽיו׃" which means "King Cyrus of Persia released the vessels of the LORD’s house which Nebuchadnezzar had taken away from Jerusalem and had put in the house of his god." represents...
Which pasuk best represents Cyrus's good morals?
A non-Jewish leader who follows through and is fully committed to providing the necessary materials and commanded the governors to support the cause.
Who is Darius?
- A student who starts a fashion design club needs to show up every week, recruit new members, and bring in supplies consistently. They have to be fully involved and can't back out if it gets hard in order for the club to be successful.