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The Talmud states that "all matters that pertain to the general welfare of the community are the responsibility of the rabbi." Over the centuries this injunction has been honored more in the breach than in actuality. Nevertheless there can be no dispute that respective and respected rabbis influence the policies of the religious parties that sit in our Knesset. We may not always agree with their opinions and advice but in the religious world one would hope that no one would gainsay their right to express those opinions and advice publicly. Such figures as Rabbis Ovadyah Yosef, the late Rabbi Eliezer Shach, and the late rabbe of Chabad have had great influence on particular segments of Israeli and Jewish society and on the general Israeli public and world Jewry as well. Yet there is always controversy not only about what they said but over whether they even had a right to say it publicly and forcefully. When Rav Shach expressed himself regarding a possible settlement with the Palestinians and the dangers of isolation from the non-Jewish world, he was roundly criticized for expressing his views. "Leave our foreign and defense policies up to the experts and don’t mix in to what is none of your business" was the general media reaction to his words. Well I for one don’t see why his opinion is less valuable to our current debate on policy and our future than the opinion of all of the so-called "experts" that are always interviewed by our media and have yet to come up with a successful formula for solving these problems. Rabbis have a legitimate right to express their opinions on matters of public concern.
Rabbis have regularly been accused here in Israel of "incitement" when expressing their opinions on public matters. Left wing professors in Israeli universities who advocate boycotts of Israel are never accused of "incitement." Rather they have the sacred privilege of academic freedom and freedom of speech. Apparently they can say anything they wish without being told to mind their own academic business. Are the rabbis any less academic and accomplished than the professors? Present company excluded, I think that they are not. I think that it is the fear that people may actually listen to the opinion of the rabbis, opinions which many times contrast to current political correctness and modern lifestyle that lies at the bottom of this self-righteous censorship attempt. Why can the rabbis of Efrat not tell their community about the dangers of smoking and attempt to persuade the merchants there to discontinue selling death? Rabbis speak with thousands of years of tradition, Jewish experience and personal practice behind their words. One may have the choice to hearken to their advice or ignore it. But I do not believe that anyone has the right to challenge their right to express their opinions on national, general and communal matters in a public manner.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
