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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
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.
