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Beit Midrash
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Ein Ayah: There are two ways for a young man to straighten his path when his physical and emotional powers and his zest for life are at their height. The normal path is to distance himself from preoccupation with beauty, despite the fact that feelings of appreciation for beauty are good and embellish the spirit. A pure tzaddik can use aesthetics directly in a very positive manner, as Hashem would not have created this strong feeling in man for no positive reason. In fact, aesthetics broaden the mind and a person’s good energies, as the gemara says about a nice looking wife, living quarters, and household objects.
A good fragrance is a general term for fine enjoyment that is fitting for people with a delicate and pure spirit, but Chazal treat it as an enjoyment that is not equally fit for all people. For the right people, such emotions are special tools for positive gain. Despite all of the advantages of beauty, though, most people are forced to push off enjoying it during their adolescence because of the moral damage that it is likely to cause. We find the story of the good looking young man, who was very conscious of his looks until he felt his evil inclination creep in. He swore to become a nazir (which would take away from his looks) for which he was greatly praised (Nedarim 9b).
It is correct to push away interest in aesthetics, which is an external value, as a safeguard from serious danger. However, whenever one has to sacrifice something of value, there is a lack of shleimut (completeness). The higher path is for one’s intellect and morality to be so complete that even the appreciation of aesthetics can be used in a variety of shades so they will add grandeur to the true shleimut of morality, holy behavior, and knowledge, love, and fear of Hashem.
The Lebanon forest region is special because of its strong, tall cedars and the fragrance of its vast vegetation. The strength is metaphorical for inner values and the fragrance for the external aesthetic element. These days, the world is on a low level so that the evil inclination is ever lurking, and almost every adolescent has tasted sin [i.e., is capable of improper thoughts and thus must be careful of sin]. Therefore, one should minimize exposure to aesthetics. If the evil inclination sees one beautifying himself, it believes the person is his for the taking. Therefore, one should limit his good looks and fragrance, as Chazal teach that it is a disgrace for a scholar to go out publicly with a perfumed smell. That gives the evil inclination too much room, and bad traits seep in. We thus guard the crucial powers while sacrificing the secondary ones.
In the future, though, there will be adolescents in Israel who will not have tasted the taste of sin. They will not need to hold back from the grandeur and pleasantness that can strengthen the spirit but will give off a fragrance like Lebanon, as they will have all elements of aesthetics in a helpful, not dangerous manner. This fragrance represents an element of evoking respect from one’s peers in regard to aesthetics, and it will be related to sanctity and shleimut, as there will not be a struggle between the physical and spiritual.
This is only for one who did not experience sin, for those who did, and thus did not want to give up pleasure even when they should have, will be missing the necessary shleimut.
Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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.
