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Beit Midrash
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- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: One may raise the following dilemma: Is the intrinsic nature of man to be involved uninterruptedly in matters of the intellect, and his involvement in practical matters are just out of necessity but are really beneath his level? Or is it possible that man’s nature is made up of both practical and intellectual inclinations, in which case, involvement in physical matters in a reasonable proportion actually completes his natural essence?
The above dilemma is behind the disagreement between Rabbi Yishmael and Rabbi Shimon. The former holds that interruption from one’s learning for physical pursuits of making a living, in a manner that does not contradict his overall stress on Torah study, is not something lacking but something that complements his nature. That is why as a rule, following in a Torah lifestyle is to follow the "way of the land."
Rabbi Shimon, on the other hand, says that a person’s level should be so lofty that he will not be able to appreciate any pursuit other than intellectual ones. If not for sin, one would be able to fulfill the pasuk that the Torah will not move from his lips literally. Therefore, one should always strive and encourage others to be as complete a person as possible, and that whatever involvement one has in the external world is an unfortunate shortcoming. When Bnei Yisrael are on the proper level, others will do their work and they will be focused only on the knowledge of the Torah.
Rabbi Yishmael saw the phenomenon of people being tired out when they spend all their time on the intellectual as a sign that he was right. Rabbi Shimon saw it as an entrenched problem in man, whereby it is difficult for him to strive for his proper level. However, the solution is to work on improving himself.
The aforementioned disagreement is about the nature of man. According to Rabbi Yishmael, if one finds a great person who is drawn to only uninterrupted Torah study, he is beyond human nature. The rules of the Torah were given with more average people, not angels, in mind. The gemara understands that it is difficult to prefer one opinion based on considering each argument, but rather the matter should be determined based on experience, which shows what is normal. When we see those who found good benefit from their Torah and spirituality and also from their social life and their work, this is the proof. Rabbi Shimon’s approach is difficult to carry out because of internal opposition to intellectual pursuit without any physical outlet. This shows that Rabbi Yishmael is right and that Rabbi Shimon’s approach should be reserved for people who are beyond the norm.
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.
