For Shavuot: "Rav Kook on The Necessity for Humility to Learn Torah"

Humility is always important but Rav Kook stresses here and proves it's essential necessity for Torah study.

The Second Giving of the Torah

The giving of the Torah happens every year and if we merit we can achieve great things from these days.

A Real Jewish Princess

A magical parable about Shavuot.

The Empty Landscape

Seasons of the Moon

Pesach has Matza, the Seder, the four cups of wine, "Ma Nishtana.…" Succot has the Four Species and the Succah. Shavuot, however, has no single identifying Mitzvah, no recognizable landmark in its scenery. Why?

When Should We Use Facts, Logic or Kabbala in Learning Torah?

Ein Aya Shabbat 4 7

Ein Aya Shabbat 4 7

Don't Just be Religious: Be Godly!

Two Ways that Learning Torah Brings Us Closer to God:

In general there are 3 ways of coming close to God: most common, either through emotion or intellect, but then Judaism adds: or to be "similar" [=close] to Him. The greatest gift that He could give us is the "Tzelem Elohim", or capability of imitateo dei, being Godly. The she'ur discusses the advantages & disadvantages of each approach to Him. Most importantly, we can't understand His Essence, but we can amd should understand His actions. This is the ultimate in both the Rambam's rational and also the kabbalistic approach to Judaism. Rav Kook explains that the 13 traits of God, as well as the 10 sfirot, all detailus what to emulate. This has far-reaching ramifications for prayer, study as well as defining our goal and potential in life!