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Beit Midrash
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Middot - Character Traits
- Personality Development
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Mishael mahlof Ben Ester
By nature, two opposing forces are at play within man - forces of good and evil, truth and falsehood, integrity and intrigue, etc. Our sages refer to these forces as the "good" and "evil inclinations."
In order to become truly worthy of the title "man of truth," a person must first labor painstakingly for many years. The reason for this is that, generally, it is easier to lie than to tell the truth, especially if lying will allow one to attain his goal. The temptation of attaining a desired end can be blinding. It can cause a person to ignore the question of whether or not it is even worth all the trouble of lying and planning evil design and intrigues in order to achieve his goal. After all, everybody knows that falsehood, by its very nature, is fleeting; it has no enduring substance. Hence the sages teach: "Truth endures, falsehood does not" (Shabbat 104b). In the end, the truth will emerge. The liar will experience shame and disgrace, and regret will gnaw at his heart unremittingly. The only exception to this rule is that of the "professional liar." Such a person fails to feel even the slighted shame, for nothing matters to him. Such a person loses out in the end, because everybody recognizes him for what he is and all take heed. People cease to trust him, and, in the words of the sages, "Such is the punishment of a liar: even when he tells the truth he is not believed" (Sanhedrin 89b).
A man of truth, on the other hand, often faces serious difficulties from which he is unable to escape. He is often unable to prove his honesty and unable to attain his goal in a true and acceptable manner. This results from his being a member of an intrigue-plagued and hypocritical society. People’s confused state and deviant ways cause them to consider themselves wise and clever when in fact they are foolish and naive, ignorant or overly confident, etc. Such people therefore conclude that the man of truth has no place among them in their prestigious and advanced company - a society free from the reins of honesty or pertinent discretion. The only thing that interests them is their own good. It does not matter which path they follow; all means are permissible for the sake of attaining the goal - in the words of the common (yet untrue) adage: "The end justifies the means."
Such a person in such company resembles a solitary tree in the forest. He will always find himself alone in the battle, no matter how just his cause might be, for his voice is like a lone voice that cries out in the wilderness.
He knows very well that he is correct and that falsehood and deception are what turn the dark into light and the bitter into sweet. This fact causes him distress and sometimes even affects his mental state. But, he can always comfort himself with the knowledge that he is acting according to his conscience and that he does not submit to accepted falsehoods. He is independent, at peace with himself, and true to the lines of integrity which he has laid down for himself, and these are the lines which direct him in all of his endeavors.
Some people consider themselves wise and intelligent because they succeed in getting ahead in life due to their cunning or trickery. They consider the upright to be backward and unsuccessful because they do not know how to keep pace with the times. It should be known, however, that the truly valuable things in life are to be found neither in public squares nor in the possession of all. For example, only a small number of wealthy people are privileged enough to possess pearls and onyx stones. Sticks and stones, on the other hand, are extremely common; and pots, bowls, and silverware can be found in the most meager of households.
The trait of honesty is more valuable than gold and pearls. It is therefore only to be found in the possession of a few unique individuals who appreciate its worth and are aware of the amount of effort needed in order to attain it.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.