History:

Bayit Sheni,  Period of Tanach 

Machshava:

Israel,  Religious Zionism,  Yom Ha'atzmaut,  Zionism 

Nach:

Esther,  Ezra & Nechemia 

Personalities:

Rav Aharon Lichtenstein 

Collections: Rabbi Koller Ezra Nechemia

Description

After an introduction about Rav Lichtenstein and two central lessons learned from him, Prof. Koller describes two approaches to Jewish life in the diaspora: Esther, who works within the system, and Ezra and Nehemiah, who break out. These are compared to Joseph and Moshe, who provided the precedents for each of these views. The shiur concludes with thoughts on Yom ha-Atzmaut in light of the discussion.