Emuna
Text size
Why does G-d test us with such difficult challenges? During the course of our lives, we all encounter many different situations, some of which are very difficult and create great hardships. We strive to understand what could be their reasons, but generally without success.
-
How can I trust the transmission of the Torah?
Our faith is based on 600,000 adult males who saw with their own eyes and experienced receiving the Torah at Sinai, and transmitted this to the generations afterwards. Why shouldn't we say that, just like other people had folklore and legends that they believed, we also had such tales throughout the period of the Judges and First Temple, and that at the time of Ezra the Scribe, he gathered them all together into one book that we now call the Torah? After all, the Talmud says that during his time, parts of the Torah were forgotten and he reinstated them. -
The Drives for Procreation & Spirituality Overlap
Rav Kook relates to the overlap between the two strongest of drives: for spirituality and procreation to continue the existence of our species, and to the psychological & Kabbalistic partnership between the two. (Rav Kook Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 7) -
True Idealism is Practical- Not Naïve or Against Nature!
Often idealists tend not to be practical or pragmatic, but Rav Kook stresses in thought, as well as in his life's work and projects, that if one really takes his idealism seriously, he should really want to implement it! (Ayn Aya Shabbat, v, 9) -
The Benefit & Necessity of Adam's Punishment of Financial 'Sweat'
When God punishes, it is always educational and beneficial. How much more so regarding the famous human sin of Adam in the Garden of Eden which decreed that livelihood will be earned only through the "Sweat of your brow". Our rabbis teach that God will occasionally even do miracles and change nature, in order to keep this "law of nature" Rav Kook explains why this difficulty to make a living is so inherent, essential and basically "untouchable". (Rav Kook's Ayn Aya Series, Masechet Shabbat v, 4-5) -
"Miracles: Better Off Without Them!" The Advantages of Nature Over Miracles
Most people would love for super-natural miracles to return, but Rav Kook suggest many different (and surprising!) reasons why the laws of nature are actually preferable! -
Living Off of My Folks- The Tragedy of Unproductivity
It's not uncommon in today's high standard of living and with the widespread fulltime Torah study of many kollel men for many years, for many people to continue living off of their parents or in-laws. Rav Kook deals with the problematic side of this phenomenon regarding both the individual, the society and the future generations (Ayn Aya Rav Kook English Series, Shabbat v, 8). -
Physical Abnormalities- Should They Be Covered or Not? Apparent
Physical abnormalities are viewed differently by various societies. The issue of covering one's embarrassment has many ramifications also regarding the idea of Tzniut and covering our bodies. The class also relates to understanding the deformities or tragedies in God's perfect & holistic world. (Rav Kook's Ayn Aya Series, Shabbat v, 6) -
The Claim Against Rav Kook of Antinomianism- Belittling Religious Details
Some professors have accused Rav Kook of tendencies of antinomianism- and belittling the details of Jewish law, for the sake of unbridled and free spirituality. This class deals with Rav Kook's own answer and explanation, towards the end of his life, to such accusations. -
How Can I Trust the Truth of Sinai?
How do we know that Moshe Rabbeinu did not do some kind of magic of lights and pyrotechnics that caused the nation to believe that that's what happened? -
Keep Reading...
<
54321
>