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The Torah stressed that mortality is the human condition from which there are no exceptions or escape. Yet the Torah demanded that we live cheerful lives and taught us that depression and dwelling on sadness only distances us from our Creator. We are to worship God in a sense of happiness and optimism. Divine inspiration cannot be achieved in sadness and frustration. Judaism, which teaches us that our soul is immortal, therefore faces the reality of mortality realistically but still retains a sense of eternity that every human being can attach one’s self to. There are so many events in our lives that we cannot control or predict so that worrying in advance about the unknown becomes futile. However regarding those things in life that are within our grasp and are part of our daily behavior and actions they have to be viewed as important matters. We should not procrastinate or delay the doing of good on the promise of tomorrow. The words of Rabi Akiva ring true down the ages: "Do not say I will postpone the study of Torah until tomorrow when I will have time and means for it, for perhaps that tomorrow may never yet come to you." Thus the rule of behavior that the rabbis taught us: "An opportunity to perform a mitzvah should never be allowed to simply pass." Life is too uncertain for us to allow delay and postponement to rule our good instincts and potentially holy behavior.
The Torah emphasized this point to us when it famously stated: "The hidden things in life - the future and the continuing interference of unplanned for events into our lives - belong solely to the Lord our God. But what is in our control, our current actions and behavior, is to be subject to the fulfillment of the Torah by us and our progeny forever more!" Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra once stated succinctly: "The past is gone, the future has not yet arrived and the present is but a fleeting moment, so humans have to make the best of life as it occurs." This follows the advice of the Psalmist - in this case our teacher Moshe - that we should count our days. Every day is a precious commodity and should not be squandered in pettiness, foolishness and sad evil. The importance of living life in this fashion lies at the essence of all Jewish thought and ritual. In fact it is the presence of ritual in our everyday life that allows that day - every day - to be special and worthy for today I am fulfilling an obligation to my Creator and thus binding myself to eventual eternity. Life truly intervenes and interferes with our plans and certainties but we have to rise to life’s occasions and challenges with faith, hope, alacrity and optimism.
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.
