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Torah therefore is a treasure that all Jews have the right and ability to possess, study and analyze. It does not belong to any specific Jew or group of Jews solely. In fact the prophet warns us that "those who hold the Torah closely only unto themselves know not Me." The Torah does not belong only to the Charedim or to the datiyyim or to the dossim or to any particular political party or rabbinic group. It belongs to all Jews and its healing and inspirational words, ideas and values are public property. The error of many in holding the Torah as belonging to only one particular group of Jews is one of the spiritual tragedies of our time and society. It apparently leads those who do not ally themselves with the observant community to believe that they are free from their Torah study obligations but that in reality is not a true assessment of the situation and only polarizes the differences within our society. The Torah belongs to all and should be studied by all, each in one’s own way and abilities. And we should have confidence that the holiness of the Torah will in the long run affect people’s lives and behaviors and turn them towards good.
Seventy years ago the great Rav of Ponivezh, Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Kahaneman established a fledgling yeshiva on a barren hill at the outskirts of then Bnei Brak. There were many who were doubtful about the success of this ambitious undertaking. When asked "Who are you building a yeshiva for?" the Rav answered in all seriousness "For the inhabitants of Ein Charod." Ein Charod then was an extremely leftist and anti-religious kibbutz seemingly far removed from Torah study and certainly traditional ritual and observance. This month members of Kibbutz Ein Charod spent a day studying Torah, praying and discussing serious topics with the students and faculty of Ponivezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak. Ein Charod has been conducting a weekly class in Talmud for the past nine years. The class was established by a young man by the name of Zisling who lives on the kibbutz. Zisling’s grandfather, Aaron, was the first Minister of Agriculture of the State of Israel and one of the signers of the Independence Proclamation of 1948. The Torah belongs just as much to Ein Charod as it does to Meah Shearim. There is a quiet revolution occurring in our country as more and more Jews search for meaning in their lives and a stability of spirit and outlook. Throughout Jewish history the Torah has always made its way and preserved the people of Israel even in its darkest hours. It is available to all and its study by all should be a major goal of our society and its leadership. The words of Rav Saadia Gaon (9th century Iraq) "Our nation is a nation because of the Torah" ring loud and true in our generation as well.
The Miztva of Learning Torah We're Not Out to Produce 'Space Cadets'
Rav Kook: Pragmatism & Ideology Don't Conflict
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.
