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More than 400 years later, King Shaul was commanded by Shmuel to destroy Amalek without mercy, from man to woman to child to animal of every type that belonged to them (Shmuel I, 15:3). This commandment shook Shaul, whose humanistic emotions held him back from fulfilling this task fully, causing his loss of the kingship. The gemara (Yoma 22b) says that Shaul had halachic/logical questions against the charge. He said that the Torah has a whole procedure (egla arufa) to deal with the death of a single individual, and one can only imagine what the level of concern should be regarding so many killed. Secondly, he asked, if the adult people had sinned, what could one say about the children and the animals? A voice from the heaven called out: "Do not be overly righteous!"
One can ask whether the command Shaul received, including killing even the animals, was part of the ongoing mitzva to erase the memory of Amalek or whether he was presented with a unique temporary obligation. The matter appears to depend on three opinions regarding the oath that Hashem made in regard to Amalek, as found in the Mechilta D’Rabbi Yishmael (Beshalach 2). Rav Yehoshua said that it is something that Hashem will see to when His Kingdom will be complete. Rav Elazar Hamodai said that he will not leave over anything, not a human descendant and not even a camel, that belonged to Amalek. Rabbi Eliezer says that Hashem said that one can accept a convert from any of the nations of the world except for Amalek. According to Rav Elazar Hamodai, Shaul’s war had the normal parameters of a war against Amalek.
Which opinion do we accept? The one major decisor on this issue is the Rambam. He does not mention any instructions to destroy the animals, and he implies that Amalekites who want to convert are exempted from the destruction bound for their nation. According to him, Shaul’s instructions went beyond the halachic norm, which can help us understand why he was so bothered by them. Even so, a prophetic command is fully binding, and Shaul was correctly criticized. As the gemara says, in the face of an explicit command, Shaul should not have allowed his humanism to make him "overly righteous."
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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.