Understanding G-d's Role in History

In class we discussed the Radak's view in Sefer Chaggai  that Bnei Yisrael should have realized that the failures around them were a result of their having failed to rebuild the Beit HaMikdash. Reflect on how Bnei Yisrael, then, and us, today, were/are to understand G-d's role in history:

1) Why do you think the Radak would have expected Bnei Yisrael to understand the connection between the drought/other difficulties and the rebuilding of the Beit HaMikdash. If there was no Nevua, why would we even expect them to see the relationship?
2) How should we, today, interpret world events? How are we supposed to know if and when HaShem is sending us a message?
a) Read "The God Who is Revealed Through Historical Events: Rav Kook, Rav Amital, and the Interpretation of History" by Moshe Maya - http://www.vbm-torah.org/alei/14-04maya-history.htm. What is Rav Amital's perspective (s)?
b)  Read "The Religious Significance of the State of Israel" By Rabbi Yair Spitz (he was in Memphis for a few years) http://ytyh.org/lesson/4. What is Rabbi Spitz's criteria for seeing G-d's hand in history? 
c) What is your perspective? 

Overcoming Challenges

Reflect on the challenges we discussed in class that faced Bnei Yisrael soon after their return to Eretz Yisrael: Enemies thwarting building efforts, Royal opposition, Unfulfilled hopes regarding Zerubavel and sovereignty and building of Mikdash, Despair over comparison between First and Second Beit HaMikdash, Lack of funds/economic uncertainty, Lack of prophecy/inspiration/leadership, Small number of returnees, Weak Jewish life/community. Choose one of these challenges and discuss how it applies to the Jewish community today. How is the challenge holding us back today? How can we move beyond it? What do we need to do to overcome the obstacle and achieve our goal? We don't have Chaggai, Zechariah and Malachi today - what assets do we have?

Reflections on Sefer Ezra Perakim 1-2

In reflecting on Sefer Ezra, Perakim 1-2, how would you tell the story of Coresh's Declaration and its early implementation? Imagine that you are telling the story to an audience that knows nothing about this time period. How would you frame the story? How would you describe the achievements and the failures? Please write a paragraph that sums up Perakim 1-2. Include objective facts and your subjective interpretation of the whole endeavor.

Failure of Religious/Political Leadership

In class we discussed the failure of our religious/political leadership to heed Yirmiyahu's nevuot and to follow in the way of HaShem and Torah. Think of two other times in Jewish history (one from Tanach and one post-Tanach) when our religious/political leadership failed to serve as positive role models for the Jewish people. Give the time period, the location, the leader(s)and how they failed us. Do not use examples that are already posted by your classmates.