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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
[The gemara in Ta’anit 23a tells the story of the prayers of Choni Hame’agel (the circle maker) who, upon not succeeding when asking for rain during a severe drought, declared that he would not leave his circle until it rained. Subsequently, the wrong types of rain fell, so Choni kept on making strong requests until the matter was rectified.] What is a case of one who showed chutzpa in dealing with Hashem? Like that which is related in a mishna: Shimon ben Shetach said to Choni Hame’agel: You deserve to be put in niduy (excommunication) and if you were not Choni, I would decree niduy upon you, but what can I do, for you sin before Hashem and He does what you ask for, like a son who sins before his father and the father does what he wants. About people like you the pasuk was said: "Your father and mother will be happy, and she who bears you will rejoice" (Mishlei 23:25).
Ein Ayah: The foundation of k’vod shamayim (the honor of Heaven) is actually that due to k’vod shamayim all of the paths of straightness in the world will be laid out before us. When k’vod shamayim is undone, even a little bit, the foundations of justice and broad morality collapse, and then people will go in darkness. That is the main problem with minimizing k’vod shamayim, as Hashem does not need honor from us. Rather, by honoring Hashem, mankind directly takes steps toward shleimut (completeness).
Therefore, if something appears haughty in relation to Hashem and thereby lowers k’vod shamayim, but increases the honor of a righteous person, it can be that the pillars of morality will be supported by it. This is because when the nation sees how great the honor of the righteous is, to the point that a tzaddik "sins" and is still answered by Hashem, then everyone will want to make efforts to follow his path of righteousness. This is what Choni was thinking - that his actions would actually increase Divine honor, by causing people to improve their attributes and actions.
However, this is true only in regard to short term results: people of the generation, who see the honor of the tzaddik, will increase their desire for goodness and righteousness. However, regarding the future, only k’vod shamayim is the foundation of the paths of justice and straightness, as Hashem is "the righteous of the world." When Divine honor increases, each generation will pass on to the next word of this honor and people will try to follow the path of kindness and truth through imitatio dei. A weakening of Divine honor leaves a stain in the hearts over generations. In contrast, the honor of the righteous, like the person himself, passes over time.
Prayer is called "life in the short term." Therefore, great people who had a strong connection with their Maker and with prayer, regularly concentrated on Israel’s present spiritual level. This is important because when one fixes the present, the future comes out better. Torah is called "eternal life." Therefore, those leaders of the generation who focused on Torah sought to determine how things will influence matters in the long term.
While Choni was great in Torah, his main influence was in the area of prayer and he sought to improve the nation in the present. He, therefore, took the approach that by strengthening regard for tzaddikim, he would bring people closer to a proper way of life, even if it came through actions that looked like chutzpah toward Hashem. He felt that this would ultimately increase Divine honor. However, Shimon ben Shetach was concerned with the welfare of future generations, whereby even a small lessening of k’vod shamayim, especially if performed by a great tzaddik whose influence would last into the future, would bring future damage that would exceed the present gain. Yet it was a situation which, from the tzaddik’s perspective, was rooted in fear of Heaven and unblemished service, so he related the pasuk: "your father and mother will be happy." This focuses on the quality over the quantity. Therefore, although the impression for the people of the time was that the action included chutzpah, from his perspective it was an act of service of Hashem and shleimut. [Therefore Hashem accepted it and Shimon ben Shetach would not censor him].
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
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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.
