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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Regarding the pasuk, "Benayahu ben Yehoyada, the son of a live man, who was multi-active from Kabtze’el, he smote two Ariels of Moav, and he went down and smote the lion in the midst of the pit on a snowy day" (Shmuel II, 23:20). "Who was multi-active from Kabtze’el" ¬- this means that he increased the number of and gathered Torah activists; "He smote two Ariels" (Rashi- a name that refers to the Beit Hamikdash, as indicated in Yeshaya 59) of Moav (the Beit Hamikdash is attributed to David who descended from Ruth, the Moavite)" - this means that no one in the time of either the first or second Temple was on his level.
Ein Ayah: In the time of the first Beit Hamikdash, there wasn’t sinat chinam (baseless hatred) and the spiritual powers were as "dispersed." On the other hand, it was before the era when the Anshei Knesset Hagedola established the many rabbinical injunctions and institutions, blessings, sanctifications and separations. The multitude of these operative laws established the Torah in the extensive manner we know it today. Thus, the first Beit Hamikdash lacked the multitude of positive actions for which Yehoyada was known.
In the time of the second Beit Hamikdash, religious activities were increased by the Anshei Knesset Hagedola, who put forth many students and made fences for the Torah (the importance of which is stressed in Pirkei Avot 1:2). On the other hand the fence of the sukka of David (i.e., his kingdom) was breached by sinat chinam (Yoma 9b), and thus the lacking was in the gathering of the many activists.
Yehoyada was unique in that he was complete in the greatest possible way in both areas: in increasing religious activities and gathering everyone together. In that way he was unparalleled in the time of the two Temples. It is true that there were great prophets and other righteous people. However, there is no end to shleimut (completeness), and in his shleimut in combining the elements of both needs, no one else was able to reach his level.
The Proper Character of an Innovator
(based on Berachot 3:9)
Gemara:
[We continue to analyze the greatness of Yehoyada] "He went down and smote the lion in the midst of the pit on a snowy day" (Shmuel II, 23:20). Some say that he broke the chunks of ice and immersed [to purify himself]. Some say that he learned Sifra D’bei Rav (Rashi- Torat Kohanim) [one of the hardest areas of Torah study] on an autumn day.
Ein Ayah: This idea in the gemara corresponds to that which was previously stated about increasing activities and gathering them.
In order to increase activities by creating new good and lasting things in the nation in a manner of shleimut, it takes a person who is brave and powerful of soul. He must use his spiritual power, firstly in regard to the way he leads his personal life, which must be with extreme sanctity. Such a person can succeed in innovating good activities, which requires a mighty and brave spirit. Whoever has not reached the pinnacle of that degree of greatness in his personal behavior cannot rise up to lead an entire nation in innovating new practices. [This is hinted at by the matter of purifying himself in icy waters.]
Gathering activities requires exceptional organizational skill. This is hinted at with the study of Torat Kohanim, which has "long branches" and "extensive foliage." He was able to organize them in short, set rules, so that no small detail was lost, in a manner that one could review all of the study in an autumn day [which has few hours of sunlight]. This is a wonderful expression of his ability to organize matters in his spirit, which enabled him not only to create activities but to organize and arrange them in a manner that the Torah could be preserved.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
