YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Jewish Thought
- Foundations of Faith
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Amram son of Sultana
Here the Khazar king inquires, "Is not your faith in creation and human genealogy as presented in the Torah weakened somewhat by the fact that the people of India possess ancient traditions and practices which are supposed to date back a million years!"
The wise Rabbi responds, explaining that the traditions of the people of India in no way weaken the Jew's faith. How can the people of India have any serious traditions when, in fact, they lack a proper culture altogether? They are idolaters who place their faith in superstitious belief. They have no culture and have produced only a small number of books, which at any rate are incredulous. Only a genuine ignoramus could be convinced of the reliability of their claims.
Were Bedouins from the Sinai Desert - a people who possess no intellectual background - to approach us with the claim that they have ancient traditions which differ with ours regarding the creation of the world and the history of humankind, should we even feel the need to defend our tradition against their claims? Do the traditions of peoples who lack intellectual standing hold any genuine significance? This was the state of the people of India in the days of the Kuzari.
True, people who live more closely to nature develop unique senses that cannot be found among cultured people - they know how to sense when rain will fall, they are able to uncover footprints and therefore make excellent trackers, and they boast various other sharpened natural talents. They are even likely to possess certain spiritual capacities and unique decorum. However, all of this is far from being a reason to place faith in their traditions - the sort of traditions which are passed down from generation to generation by the light of a bonfire. They are no more than the fruit of healthy imagination. In short, such traditions are not worthy of serious consideration.
All sorts of interesting natural characteristics developed among the people of India, as did unique and even praiseworthy mannerisms. Nevertheless, they were not a learned or intellectual people. In this respect they were very undeveloped, and there is therefore little value to their tales about ancient traditions. This, though, is in no way true when it comes to the Jewish people, "a wise and intelligent nation." The Jews are "the People of the Book" who, throughout the generations, have occupied themselves with learning and Torah. The Jews' profuse literary output in the fields of both Oral and Written Torah serves as proof of the Jewish people's commendable spiritual level.
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
12 - 12. A History of the Divine
13 - 13. Faith Needs No Rational Proof
14 - 20. God's Incorporeality
Load More
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.