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Beit Midrash
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Simchat Torah, hundreds of Yeshiva students dancing with Sifrei Torah (Torah scrolls). I don't remember why, but I was feeling a little down and wasn't dancing. And from across the big study hall, in the midst of hundreds of students, Reb Avrom, the elderly Rosh Yeshiva, the Rav of thousands of students, noticed one young student who wasn't dancing, his face perhaps betraying some sadness. Reb Avrom crossed the study hall and I was still unaware-the thought hadn't even crossed my mind-that he was doing so on account of me. He approached me with an illuminating countenance, asked how I am, and inquired, why am I not dancing? It is a mitzvah to always be happy, and certainly today! He didn't suffice with that; he took my hand like a good father, led me into the circle of dancers and danced with me, still gripping my hand. I don't remember why I was a bit sad before that, but I do remember that from that moment onwards, I was filled with tremendous simcha (rejoicing). I didn't understand then, and even more so I don't understand today, how did he see? How did he notice that out of the hundreds of students circling and dancing, that there is one young student in a far-off corner of the study hall, not dancing? And when he noticed, he didn't send someone else to call him, but went himself to raise his spirits. This is not just the greatness of a Torah intellect; this is the greatness of a Torah personality.
Years have passed, and in order that my students should taste something of that same atmosphere, something of that special personality, we adopted a practice every year, between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, of taking the 12th-graders to Reb Avrom. Reb Avrom, who was already in his nineties, gave his full attention to the young students, answered their questions, and emphasized again and again, each end every year, the same thing he used to say to us when we were students: "Not to be beinoni (mediocre)!" He would say this with special emphasis, stressing the first syllable of the word beinoni and in a special intonation, "the main thing is not to be BEIN oni!" And also, "the world is waiting for you; the angels of the Torah are waiting for you." With his beaming countenance, humor and stories we would part from him. And each student remained accompanied by Reb Avrom's guidance as well as a sense of happiness, and the internal resolution, each one according to his level, to work harder and to make a greater effort this New Year to strive higher in serving G-d, in character refinement and in learning.
May his merit protect us.
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.
