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Beit Midrash
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- 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.
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.
