YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
[At the time of Mashiach we will mention the exodus from Egypt but less prominently than we will discuss the end of enslavement to the kingdoms.] Similarly, when the Torah says: "Your name will no longer be called Yaakov, but rather your name will be Yisrael" (Bereishit 35:10), this does not mean that the name Yaakov will be uprooted, but that Yisrael will be the main name and Yaakov will be secondary to it.
Ein Ayah: The individual and the world are similar in the way they must act to achieve shleimut (completeness). A person has good and bad powers. If the bad powers will be totally prevented from finding expression, many good things will be missing because they require the strength and persistence that the bad powers provide. However, if they find expression without any inhibiting factors, they will pass all boundaries and bring the world to a very corrupted state. The Torah hints at this in the story of Yaakov and Eisav. Eisav, who possessed coarse powers, actually was born first. Yaakov did not prevent his birth, but his hand grasped Eisav’s heel, representing that Yaakov would not allow Eisav to go as he liked without boundaries.
When the bad powers become actualized, it is not enough that the good powers will set boundaries for them. Rather, the main thing is for the bad to have to follow the dictates of the good, with the latter enjoying dominion. That happens when one has shleimut, with all the accompanying grandeur. This idea of dominion is the content of the name, Yisrael, which Yaakov received later, as the pasuk explains, "For you have shown dominion among angels and men" (Bereishit 32:28).
Even when good will be busy organizing the actions of the bad powers, some type of muzzle and leash need to remain so that the border will not be breached and allow bad’s existence to become too strong. If it will be too strong, it will cease to follow the directives of the good powers. This is why Yaakov must exist, although secondary to Yisrael.
In matters of the world as well, it is impossible for the world to reach its full potential of grandeur without strengthening even the physical powers. This includes the lowest powers that are brought by those who lack the wisdom to hold on to good and strive for true shleimut. The power of Israel, who publicized knowledge of Hashem and His ways, which are charity, justice, and kindness in the world, places a muzzle. This prevents bad from continuously strengthening itself, which would negate man’s noble spirit.
When Yisrael is in exile, it acts in a hidden manner that at least tames the waves of evil destruction of morality and the strengthening of evil. However, when Hashem will make His nation prominent in the world, they will also give direction and order to the physical world that was given to the nations of the world and teach them how to use these elements for good and justice. Therefore, "many nations will go to the mountain of Hashem and to the house of the G-d of Yaakov" (based on Yeshaya 2:3) to ask them to "teach His paths so that they will go in His ways" (ibid.). However, even in the time of world shleimut, when things will, for the most part, be properly arranged, it will still be necessary to prevent the bad powers of physicality from removing morality and breaking the staff of justice. This is how Chazal interpret the pasuk referring to the times of Mashiach: "The youngster will die at the age of 100, and the sinner will be cursed at the age of 100" (Yeshaya 65:20), which is talking about the nations of the world (Sanhedrin 91b). About Israel it says: "Death will be swallowed up forever and Hashem will wipe tears from all faces" (Yeshaya 25:8).
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
