Beit Midrash

The Blessing for Rain for those travelling to the Land of Israel

Praying for a Rainy Day When Traveling to or from Eretz Yisroel in November

The Prayer of the High Priest

We find that in his short prayer on Yom Kippur, the High Priest did not mention at all the spiritual needs of Israel, like Torah study or fear of Heaven. All that he says during his few moments inside the Holy Sanctuary is a short prayer for rain.

Mentioning and Requesting Rain

Mistakes related to the mentioning and requesting of rain are the most common in prayer. This is because the appropriate wording changes every six months. After accustoming ourselves to one version it is difficult to make the switch to the other.

Birkot HaShachar – The Morning Blessings

Chapter nine-part one

Chapter nine-part one

Daf Yomi - Eruvin 7

Daf Yomi - Eruvin 16

Daf Yomi - Eruvin 53

Daf Yomi - Eruvin 99

Can Z'chut Avot Ever "Run-Out"?

How does Z'chut Avot (merit of our fore-fathers) work? Why should their actions thousands of years ago, still be effective, say if over the more than 100 generations, we may have done many more sins that eventually out-weigh even their many merits? And if so, does that mean that there possibly may not be a ge'ula (redemption), if we really don't deserve it? Especially today, when most Jews (especially outside of Israel), aren't that observant, this topic is particularly pertinent. As usual, Rav Kook zt"l has an innovative approach to the topic. (Rav Kook, Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 31)

The Different Levels On Which G-d Runs the World & Transmits to Us

Ein Aya, Shabbat 2, 241

Anyone who believes that G-d runs the world knows that he does so via various ways & on many different levels. Rav Kook deals with these many venues how He transmits messages to us & analyzes the extent of the direct & indirect levels, including dreams (mine & those around me) sickness (mine & those around me), accidents, challenges etc. The question of "why bad things happen to good people" is based upon the mistaken & even childish thought that life is supposed to be smooth, as opposed to Judaism which sees life as challenges, some pleasant & others not, which are sent us as G-d's way of helping us grow, be independent & Godly. Many aspects of life have nothing to do with "reward & punishment", but are "wake-up calls" to analyze ourselves.