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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
He saw that he was dragging out [the saying of the word "echad" in Kri’at Shema] to an extreme. He said to him: "Since you have declared His kingship above, below, and to the four directions of the Heaven, you do not need to do any more."
Ein Ayah: Knowing Hashem includes the following two elements: the true knowledge that is needed to straighten and elevate one’s actions; the knowledge that is needed to elevate the spirit itself with the knowledge of truth, the grandeur of the pleasantness of the lofty things related to the knowledge of Hashem.
The knowledge of Hashem that is for the needs of a positive mitzva, in this case, Kri’at Shema, is what is related to actions and their being done in the proper way. The attainments in the intellectual sphere, are connected to Torah study. The general foundation in the acceptance of the yoke of the Heavenly kingdom is that one should recognize that Hashem’s Hand has dominion over all, in all stages of life’s activities [represented by "above, below, and to the four directions of the Heaven"].
However, in order to know the value of the preparations and of the goals and how they are connected to each other, one needs to develop greatness of the spirit, above and beyond the value of the individual actions he takes. This goes beyond the realm of Kri’at Shema but rather the understanding of Hashem and His truth, which is transmitted to us through the truth of Torah.
The Significance of a Person’s Physical Position
(based on Ein Ayah, Berachot 2:6)
Gemara:
A prakdan [Rashi- someone lying on his back] should not read Kri’at Shema.
Ein Ayah: A person should train himself that all lofty learning and clear contemplation that comes to his soul should encourage him to awaken to do good things. It is very bad for one to make himself accustomed to being callous in regard to his study. In other words, he should not be in a situation where he thinks and contemplates and yet still does not budge from his involvement in physicality and earthly tendencies, even those that are antithetical to wisdom and justice.
When a person raises his eyes, he should have a spiritual experience, as the pasuk says: "Lift your eyes to the Heaven and see Who created all of this" (Yeshaya 40:26). He should be filled with emotions of the sacred and justice filled with life, with a desire to do that which is good and straight. Being in a position of prakdan, where he looks to the sky above yet his physicality is not moved and he is not aroused to move from his place, gives the mistaken impression that the goal of contemplation is not to straighten one’s path in accordance with the lofty values that his intellect grasps.
This inappropriate combination is very corruptive. It is a factor that weakens the main force in a person’s completeness, which is his intellect, preventing it from standing in its position and having the impact it is designed to have. It is generally negative to lie on one’s back. Kri’at Shema, though, is something whose main idea is to help realizations impact on one’s actions. This is why it includes both the acceptance of the Heavenly yoke and, in close proximity, the acceptance of the yoke of mitzvot. Therefore, it is particularly severe to lie on one’s back during Kri’at Shema.
Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
