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Beit Midrash
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[There was a disagreement among the rabbis regarding the blessing after eating dates. Rabban Gamliel, a strong leader who, in this case, held the minority opinion, was eating with a group of rabbis. He asked Rabbi Akiva to make the blessing on behalf of all, assuming he would follow Rabban Gamliel’s ruling, but Rabbi Akiva took the other approach.] Rabban Gamliel said to him: "How long will you place your head in the midst of the disagreement?" [Rabbi Akiva] responded: "Although you say that way and your friends say that way, you have taught us that when there is a disagreement between the majority and the minority, we are to follow the majority."
Ein Ayah: The fundamental idea behind the way to decide among differing opinions is based on the pursuit of truth and of peace. Sometimes, the power of truth prevails, and sometimes the power of peace prevails. Let us now explain.
Certainly, in all cases of disagreement and/or doubt, we should inquire what the truth is, which can be ascertained by means of logic and corroborating sources. However, when we cannot conclude what the truth is, we still need to determine which ruling to follow, and the rule is: "Lean in the direction of the many" (Shemot 23:2). The reason to make such a decision is for peace, so that there not be a multitude of disagreement in Israel.
Rabban Gamliel complained to Rabbi Akiva for the latter’s "placing his head in the midst of the disagreement," in other words, for thinking that he was able to decide (with his head) whose opinion was more correct. Rabbi Akiva answered that he had not acted based on a decision of who he thought was correct. Rather, the need for peace, which is a foundation of the world, demands that he act as he did. In other words, he was not putting his head, or intellect, in the midst of the disagreement and thereby seemingly discounting the words of his teacher [Rabban Gamliel]. Rather, even if it turned out that the truth is with Rabban Gamliel, it is better not to rule like him because of peace. It is apparently for this reason that Rabbi Akiva did not cite the pasuk of "lean in the direction of the many." The commentators point out that the rule found in the pasuk works only when all of the participants in the disagreement are present at the same place, as we shall explain. One can inquire if the logic behind the pasuk is that the majority probably represents the truth, or that the need for peace dictates to follow the majority. Regarding truth, when all are together and hear the others’ arguments, we assume that the majority considered everything and are more likely to have come to the correct decision. When they are not together, we have to consider that had they heard the other side, they might have conceded. However, regarding peace, even if they are not in the same place, the majority has an advantage.
One can also say that these two ways of looking at the matter are behind the disagreements between Beit Shamai and Beit Hillel. We are told that the members of Beit Shamai were, on average, sharper than those of Beit Hillel, but Beit Hillel constituted a majority. Beit Shamai reasoned that numbers should not make a difference when one side has a clear intellectual advantage at arriving at the truth. Beit Hillel felt that the basis for following the majority has to do with keeping the peace, in which case the level of the scholar is not the determining factor. Since we accept the idea of following the majority even regarding cases where the groups are not present together, we see that the matter has to do with peace. In any case, following the majority is not a matter of taking sides to denigrate the opinion of the opposing minority scholars.
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.
