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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
[Chana asked for a child (Shmuel) whom she described as "an offspring of men". The gemara gives several explanations for what this might hint at. We will present Rav Kook’s commentary on three of them.] Rav said: a man among men. Shmuel said: an offspring who would anoint two men - Shaul and David ... The Rabbis said: an offspring who is "swallowed up" among men. Rav Dimi explained: neither tall nor short, neither dark nor light, neither smart nor dull.
A Man Among Men
(condensed from Ein Ayah, Berachot 5:30)
Ein Ayah: The righteous Chana’s whole goal was to have a son come from her who would save Israel and lead them on a path of life to make them Hashem’s Nation, now and in the future. Individual leaders can have a special characteristic, whether in the realm of the spiritual or the physical. However, Chana saw that the nation needed a more all-inclusive leader. This is only possible if the leader possesses diverse characteristics that are generally found among various different people. Then he can stand up to the diverse challenges of the generation and independently lead the collective nation. This is what is meant as a man among men.
An Offspring Who Will Anoint Two Men - Shaul and David
(condensed from Ein Ayah, Berachot 5:31)
Ein Ayah: We have explained elsewhere that a nation must be concerned about its welfare in the present and in the future. Usually when the two needs collide, each one is weakened by the influence of the other. The ideal situation is for each one to be strong as if the other does not exist. That is the characteristic that Chana prayed for in her son. He should be able to impact on the present as if there was no reason to worry about the future. This is illustrated by Shmuel’s anointing of Shaul, whose kingdom was to be short-lived and served only the needs of its time. In contrast, David’s kingdom is eternal and thus was complete in the area of the nation’s future level. This, according to this opinion in the gemara is the intention of the phrase, an offspring of men.
An Offspring Who Is Swallowed Up Among Men - Neither Tall nor Short, ...
(condensed from Ein Ayah, Berachot 5:33)
Ein Ayah: In order to impact on the generation, the leader must be close enough to the level of the generation in order to make an impact. Therefore, Chana was willing that her son’s personal shleimut would be compromised in order that he be integrated enough to be accepted. That is why she prayed that he physically be very average so that he could more easily make a lasting impact. It was not sufficient to her that he be impactful on the minority of people who would share his unusual characteristics.
[Editor’s note - Shmuel, who was brought up in the Mishkan, could hardly be described as having an average type of upbringing. Rather, the thesis seems to be that since spiritually he was to be exceptional, at least physically he should fit in.]
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
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.
