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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
[Eating] spleen is good for the teeth and bad for the intestines. What is the solution for it? Chew it and then spit it out. Leeks are hard on the teeth and good for the intestines. What is the solution for it? Cook it well and then swallow it.
Ein Ayah: Besides the practical advice in these statements, there is a philosophical idea that is hinted at. Whenever there is something which we can enjoy, we should look both at its benefits and its drawbacks and plan how to gain from the former without being harmed by the latter. This is true not only of foods but of desirable elements in the world in general.
There are matters that make things more pleasant and glorious in the external realm but may sometimes cause internal deterioration. It is a mistake, then, for one to think that he may pursue the external gains without considering the potential damage. He will regret later that he received just "a flower that wilted" so quickly while he lost critical vigor in the eternal world.
For someone to refuse and even despise the external benefit is also not a proper thing because everything that Hashem made in this world is for His honor, and everything that can broaden one’s life and make it more splendid contains the completeness that is appropriate according to its value. Thus, it is proper to make use of the external matters, but in a wise way that will avoid the damage while obtaining the benefit.
Chazal taught us an example of the concept regarding benefits and dangers in the physical realm [spleen and leeks], warning us not to take the good in a manner that will bring either internal or even external harm. Indeed, if one only ponders abstract wisdom in the realm of understanding Hashem, even though it will cause his spirit to grow, if he goes too far and leaves behind his normal life, it can have a negative impact on his human spirit.
When Man Should and Should Not Intervene With Nature
(condensed from Ein Ayah, Berachot 6:67)
Gemara:
All green vegetables take away one’s good complexion. Everything that is not fully grown makes one small.
Ein Ayah: It is proper to love nature as is, for it is the work of Hashem, and to not always occupy himself with artificial things. While this is true regarding both one’s physical and spiritual lifestyles, one should be aware of the following two things.
One is that if there is something natural that was made in order to join together with something man-made, then one should not suffice with its natural completion. Since man’s intellect is also a part in the natural world, the object’s "point of completion" is actually when man is finished with it. Thus, a raw vegetable may very well not be complete until man completes it through cooking, which is also a natural action.
Another observation is that there are things that do not need human intervention, and there is a need for them to reach their completion. If man takes such an object when it is still small and not ready, it will never reach its completion.
In general, we can say that man sometimes has desires that seem natural, but the problem is that he is not ready to wait until they are at their correct stage, when they will give the full benefit. Taking them before the time will just leave man himself small and incomplete.
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
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
