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Beit Midrash
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The Rambam, in explaining the mishna that one should treat "light mitzvot" as seriously as severe ones, mentions simchat haregel (being joyous on the holidays) and learning Hebrew as examples of light mitzvot. The severe ones are the ones whose strict punishments are mentioned explicitly. This seems to put teaching Hebrew on equal footing with a full-fledged mitzva from the Torah like simchat haregel. Why, then, did the Rambam omit this mitzva from his halachic work, Mishneh Torah.
A few years ago I met a dayan of the Satmar beit din in New York. He asked me what language I give shiur in and I told him that, of course, I give it in Lashon Hakodesh / Ivrit [ed. note- this and other of Rav Ehrenreich’s divrei Torah are translated from Hebrew]. He was very surprised that I "diverged from the practice of gedolei Yisrael," who taught in Yiddish.
I responded in a few ways. Firstly, the great majority of gedolim over the centuries, including Rashi, the Ramban, and the Rambam, gave shiur in Hebrew. Also, the Kuzari says that based on logic and tradition, Hebrew is the language which was used by the great Biblical characters, from Adam and Chava through Ever, after whom the language is named. Avraham spoke Aramaic, but kept Hebrew as a language he would use as a special, holy language.
Also, as the geula has begun to unfold, so too has the usage of Hebrew come to life again. The Torah Temima explains that the poskim barely discuss the importance of speaking Hebrew because it became too difficult in the Diaspora. He also gives another explanation. In line with Berachot 28b, a fear developed that if people knew Hebrew too well, they would be tempted to explain p’sukim in Tanach based on the simple meaning and not through Chazal’s "eyeglasses." Based on this idea, looking at the Rambam’s formulation of the mitzva to educate his children (Talmud Torah 1:5), he may imply that we are indeed supposed to teach our children Hebrew but that the methodology of doing so is through the teaching of the p’sukim of the Torah.
Let us end off by noting that one of the miracles of modern Jewish history is the rebirth of the Hebrew language.
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.
