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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Gemara: There were two students: one accidentally [left the place of eating and returned] like Beit Shammai, and he found a purse of gold. The other intentionally [left the place of eating in order to bentch elsewhere] like Beit Hillel, and he was eaten by a lion.
Ein Ayah: When one returns to the place of heightened physicality for the right reasons, he is able to find the good in the physical world. The internal good is waiting there, just that it is covered in animalistic tendencies, so that its light cannot be seen. A complete person who runs his physical life according to the laws of the Torah can extract the light and purify it, just as one does to gold that is hidden among the dirt deep in the ground. When one is willing to trouble himself to go back to the place of physicality and apply the lesson, it is not just like finding gold nuggets but like finding gold that has already been processed and is now sitting securely in a purse.
Ironically, by making a mistake and having to return, he is like a sinner who repents, who can reach higher levels than a person who was always righteous. He can add personal traits including humility that others cannot. Even though it is forbidden to do the wrong thing with a plan to repent, here when he made a small mistake which he is able to fix, he actually gains more than had he remembered in the first place to bentch in the place he ate. He learns how to find the strength to actively overcome the physicality.
The person who intentionally "followed Beit Hillel" by not bothering to bentch where he ate (Beit Hillel only allowed him not to return, not to leave of his own volition) felt that it is proper to distance oneself as soon as possible. He thought that it was better for Birkat Hamazon to be done without mixing in any physical elements. Therefore, he did not learn how to stand up against the world of physicality and tame it with sanctity. This is signified by being eaten by a lion, in other words, not being able to stand up to a physical temptation when it struck with all its power.
It is within the realm of what is philosophically plausible that events that can teach a moral lesson for the entire nation will occur [in a manner that seems exaggerated for the specific people to whom they happened. In other words, one student did not deserve the gold, and the other did not deserve death.]. These events taught people the proper approach that they should take. The appropriateness of the response is in that vicious animals attack man only if the victim appears to the attacker like an animal (Shabbat 151b). The similarity to an animal is in the internal characteristics. When one learns how to have ethics and fear of Hashem, it implants in him the stamp of a human. Such a person may then be able to [find gold and] fulfill the Torah within a life of riches. Even as he has more material possessions, that person will keep his divine form, and a lion will leave him alone. He will enjoy this world and the next and will use his riches to make the world a more complete place.
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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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.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
