YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah (8:6): Completeness can be broken into different categories: the completeness of the collective and the completeness of the individual.
The first level is for a person to make serious efforts to be included in the collective. Then, even if he does not reach the level of quality of character making him deserving of great things, he still gains from being part of the collective. There is a very high level that only a few particularly noble people reach, where their high quality is important even as an individual, without the need to be viewed as part of the collective.
Beit Shammai viewed the beracha on light as being connected to the few special individuals whom Torah is capable of bringing to the highest level. About such individuals, we find statements like the following by Chazal. That which is written, "of the stream of your indulgences (adanecha) you shall give them to drink" (Tehillim 36:9) should be read as "Edenecha," implying that every one (great person) receives his own lodgings in Gan Eden according to his [spiritual] honor. It is appropriate for such great people to make the beracha by themselves.
Beit Hillel felt that the beracha is focused on bringing the nation as a whole toward completeness. Therefore, communal involvement in the broadest manner is greatly desired. This is alluded to by the pasuk, "With a multitude of the nation, it is grandeur for the King." Referring to Hashem as King is appropriate because our recognition of Hashem comes through our understanding of our world. In such matters, bringing people together for that purpose is always good. The gemara says that Beit Hillel’s reason is known because "the honor of kings is to investigate a matter" (Mishlei 25:2). In our context, this means that when something is known by a mass of people together it is fit to be understood by all.
Beit Shammai’s idea needs explanation, and that is that we are concerned with the cessation of study in the beit midrash. It is worthwhile for people to know that there is an especially high level which one can obtain through Torah study, which by itself is able to raise a person to a state where he does not need to be connected to the masses in order to reach his desired level. These are the type of rare individuals about whom one can say that the world was created for people like him. The quality of his existence is such that he is considered like a world unto himself.
Ein Ayah (8:7): It is customary to say "marpeh" in order to strengthen the love and cohesiveness of the group. It is appropriate to do so when one is sneezing because that is something that heals the sick (see Berachot 57b). The need to strengthen love based on passing remarks is needed only when a person has not reached a full understanding. When it is reached, being aware of the importance of the welfare of others is a given. Therefore, Beit Shammai put the stress on the continuation of learning, in which case, they did not feel it was necessary to interrupt it for a matter of manners as a part of group dynamics.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
