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Ein Ayah: The washing of mayim acharonim (at meal’s end) comes to alert one who wants to elevate himself in shleimut (completeness) that he should distance himself from the unavoidable animalistic imprint that involvement in physical enjoyment makes. Until he separates himself from the influence of the eating he is unfit to make the beracha, which requires one’s spirit to rise up to the appropriate lofty sanctity that behooves one who blesses Hashem. One who feels the tension of the animalistic influence and is first to take the proper steps to counter it (mayim acharonim) is the most appropriate one.
Therefore, the halacha was set to illustrate the connection between mayim acharonim and becoming elevated by the beracha to the love of Hashem. Rabbi instructed Rav to wash rather than to tell him explicitly to bentch in order to hint that only the unavoidable materialistic imprint that is found in every person, who is materialistic, prevented Rav from being fit for the beracha.
Rav trembled because he feared that Rabbi wanted him to remove an extra level of the materialistic imprint that mayim acharonim hints at. However, Rav Chiya assured him that Rabbi was referring to only the minimum level that exists in every corporal being who receives physical enjoyment, for which no one is to be blamed.
When one takes the steps to overcome the negative physical influence, he can appreciate how food is very fit to bless upon, for it need not cause one a spiritual loss but is all good and a favor for us. It is physical desire that is the direct cause of lacking in several areas. When he enjoys, washes his hands, and removes the ingrained problem, he will be able to receive the proper benefit from the food. For when man is sanctified, his materialistic inclinations become important utensils for obtaining great success, and for this they are deserving of a beracha.
The Proper Level of Asthetics
(condensed from Ein Ayah, Berachot 6:52)
Gemara: A talmid chacham should not go out with patched up shoes. Is that so? Didn’t Rabbi Chiya bar Abba go out [that way]? Mar Zutra the son of Rav Nachman said: The problem is with a patch on top of a patch.
Ein Ayah: It is proper that a complete person not be to drawn to feelings of beauty to the point that he is enslaved by them and unable to bear something that lacks charm and external beauty. If that happens, then the aesthetic sense, which was given to him to enhance his life, broaden his mind, and bring joy to his spirit, will turn into a source of depression, for when his sense of aesthetics is not reached, he will be troubled and disappointed.
On the other hand, one should not betray the tendency toward beauty to the point of erasing this important feeling. After all aesthetics can elevate the spirit and prepare man to know truth and true honor, as it can play significant role in knowing Hashem and enjoying His goodness and grandeur.
Rav Chiya bar Abba reached the following balance. He went out with patched shoes to show an element of not caring and certainly not being enslaved by the pleasant desire for beauty. Yet, he did not go out with patches on patches, which would have openly robbed aesthetics of a place as something of use and value. The two opposing messages he sent led to a path of moderation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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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.
