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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
Let us begin by finding others whose shoes are removed. At the burning bush, Moshe had to remove his shoes because he was standing on holy ground (Shemot 3:5). Yehoshua had to do the same upon meeting Hashem’s "chief of staff" on holy ground (Yehoshua 5:15). Chazal made a general rule of it: shoes should be removed at any place where there is an open display of Divine Presence, which is why the kohanim served in the Beit Hamikdash without shoes (Shemot Rabba 2). What is the connection?
The Ktav V’kabala gives two explanations. One is that it is a sign of making oneself subservient. The other is that one cannot wear shoes that were impacted by having treaded on impure things.
The gemara (Shabbat 152a) says: "One who sits on a horse is a king; on a donkey, is a free man; if he is wearing shoes, he is a human being; if he has none of these things, then the deceased who are buried are better than he." The Malbim explains that the most significant difference between man and the animal kingdom is not related to speech or even the ability to do sophisticated things. Rather, an animal does what his instincts tell him to do, and man has the power, as one who had Hashem’s spirit blown into his midst, to act in a manner that is against his natural instincts.
When a human wears shoes, which are usually made from animal hide, he demonstrates that he is not like an animal that steps directly on the ground and is connected to the physicality the land represents. He steps on top of the animal-based shoes to remind him that he is a level above the animal. He is to strive for holiness. When he comes to ground which is indeed holy, he is to remove the shoe and put his feet directly on the soil.
The Torah saw such importance in yibbum that it permitted that which otherwise would have been incest. But what if someone "does not desire to take his sister-in-law," in other words, he prefers his feelings to the choice to follow what the Torah wants of him? In that case, we remove his shoe to show his resemblance to an animal that cannot separate himself from his nature.
It is interesting and apparently not coincidental that kinyan sudar, which is an overarching form of accepting obligations on oneself, is described in Tanach as involving giving a shoe (Ruth 4:7). In this way, the one who accepts the obligation declares that he understands that he has the power to make noble decisions and to keep to them even if they go against his natural desires. It is appropriate that one of the times we use this type of kinyan (albeit, not with a shoe these days) is on the day of one’s wedding.
Naso “Do Not Disregard the Practices of One’s Mother”
Ideas from 5704 (1944) – Harav Shaul Yisraeli – from Siach Shaul, p. 368-9
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.
