YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Fortunate is he who ... grew with a good name and expired from this world with a good name.
Ein Ayah: The point of having a name is not for the sake of the person himself. After all, a person does not need to use his name in relation to himself. Rather, it is necessary for him to have a name so that others can use it to refer to him. We learn from the story of Iyov as well [the gemara’s statement was said at a siyum on Sefer Iyov] that every person of a high moral standing is obligated not only to reach personal shleimut (completeness) but must involve himself in the shleimut of others. This involvement in others’ self improvement is the matter of a good name.
The impact one has on others can grow increasingly greater as the generations progress. Sometimes the words of a wise man are not accepted by the people of his generation, as they may not recognize his greatness or delve into his words as they might have. Therefore, his ideas are not able to have their full potential impact on people’s shleimut in his lifetime. Rather, in future generations, when the jealousy and the over-familiarity, which blind the eye, subside, then his words will become clear and many will follow his light.
This is what Shlomo said in his wisdom: "A name is better than good oil" (Kohelet 7:1). Good oil is a reference to those who are anointed, which means that their generation agreed to accept their leadership. Sometimes, those leaders have an impact only on their generation and in their lifetime. However, for the wise man, whose main contribution is to bring shleimut to the masses, the day of death is greater than the day he was born. That is because after his death, his light can shine brightest, as his good ideas, which he left for future generations, either in his writings or by means of the students whom he "nursed from the breasts" of his wisdom, are absorbed by others.
Dedication to Advance
(based on Berachot 2: 54-55)
Gemara:
Make a firm decision with all of your heart and soul to know My ways and to remain diligently by My doorways on a daily basis.
Ein Ayah: This comes to exclude the opinions of those who say that knowledge of the ways of Hashem comes specifically by analyzing that which exists without trying to purify their actions to go in the way of Hashem. That is why it says that to know Hashem, one should make a decision with all of his heart and soul toward that end. One will not succeed in knowing Hashem's way without making a clear decision in his heart to fulfill all of the matters of morals and ethics that emanate from one's philosophical inquiries.
Diligence (sh'kida) is a sign of consistency. The idea behind being constantly by Hashem's doorway is related to what the Rambam said (introduction to Moreh Nevuchim). Sometimes a person will have a brilliant intellectual insight that will light the way of one who seeks truth, while most of the time he walks in intellectual darkness. Therefore, it pays that he should always be by the doorway, for the door is that which closes off the otherwise exposed area. A person should try to understand even if there is a closed door in between him and understanding. If he does this every day, then he will merit that at certain times the door will open for a moment, and he will see precious light.
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
fast navigation
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.
