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"They emptied out Egypt" (Shemot 12:36). Rav Ami said: this teaches that they made it like a trap without grain. Reish Lakish said: they made it like a net without fish.
Ein Ayah: From the Torah’s warning not to return to Egypt, we see that there was a need for vigilance that the nation would not be drawn there over time. There they might return to the lowly spirit and the slavery, accompanied by the Egypt’s abominations. Therefore, He Who shapes history prepared an idea well in advance to undo Egypt’s pull on Israel.
One draw to a country is if it has bountiful food and is a good place to acquire wealth. Every great nation desires such things, and nations can be drawn even to lands that are distant, geographically and spiritually. Beyond this, a nation that is accustomed to a certain land from which it was distanced may be drawn by love of the land’s society. This can be prevented only when the society’s order is broken; no one wants to live in a desolate land.
Rav Ami spoke of a trap without grain, for when its wealth [represented by food] is lost, people are no longer drawn there to make riches. This broke the Israelites attraction toward Egypt. Reish Lakish felt that this was insufficient because of Israel’s leaning toward and familiarity with Egypt. Therefore, Hashem arranged well into the future that Egypt would be so lowered by its affliction that it was unable to lead a normal society, making it like a net without fish. When a net has fish, other fish stream there for the love of companionship regardless of practical advantage.
Bigger Miracles Are Not Better
(based on Berachot 1:118)
Gemara:
Why did Eliyahu say "answer me" twice? Once that the fire should descend from the heaven and once that Hashem should occupy their minds so that they won’t attribute it to sorcery.
Ein Ayah: The goal of true belief is to attain shleimut (completeness) in actions and attributes. Intellect’s insight is very great, as the Chovot Halevavot says. It can be achieved without miracles, by means of pure recognition of the fear of G-d and the desire of good attributes; this is the goal of the heights of the spirits. Therefore Divine Providence always saw to it that miracles should occur in a manner that prepares the spirit to go on the straight path based on intellectual insight.
Therefore, it is better, if possible, that a miracle not be a major wonder but something that resembles nature. Thereby, one who wants to deny the miracle can say it was sleight of hand or sorcery, so that cognitive recognition will take part in deciding on the good path of Hashem, ways of full pleasantness and paths of peace. Only when necessary were obvious miracles performed.
Eliyahu used the miracle of the fire although one could claim it was witchcraft so that Israel would use intellectual insight to leave idol worship’s darkness and return to the service of Hashem from an internal recognition that is everlasting, true shleimut. It would have been different if they had repented due to an undeniable miracle. In that case, the heart would have no part in the purity, as the intellect would have to accept it, and the impact would not last. Therefore, Eliyahu asked Hashem to help prepare their hearts to love Him and grasp His truth. The miracle of fire from the heaven separated them from the bad habit of idol worship; if they chose good internal recognition, they would not consider bad thoughts to claim sorcery. Indeed whatever accompanies goodness and internal justice and straightness is accepted by the heart of one who is wise and seeks Hashem.
Ein Ayah Starting from the Top - Natural Spiritual Simplicity
Condensed from Ein Ayah, Shabbat 9:77-78
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
