YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Family and Society
- The Jewish Household
- Various Subjects
The Jewish world loves to hold on to ancient disputes and relive battles that were fought and decided long ago. The wars between the Zionists and anti-Zionists, between the proponents of Chasidut and its opponents, between the Bundists and the other Leftists, all seem to have been settled by events that have occurred over the past century. Yet the ideological wars continue as though they have true relevance to our situation. Now that there are six million Jews living in the State of Israel the debate, practical, theological or historical, as to whether that state should have come into existence originally is certainly moot and contributes nothing to guaranteeing the safety and existence of those six million Jews. Since the majority of Orthodox Jewry consists of Chasidim and those who are descended from Chasidic stock it is pretty useless and self-defeating to continue that war which has been settled demographically over the past number of generations. The Left, especially the radical Left, has been responsible for disaster after disaster - economic (look at Europe, the Soviet Union, Mao’s China, etc.), social (the Gulag and the defeat of Communism) and diplomatic (The UN and all of the sham issues, conferences, and resolutions that it has fostered). Yet it persists, here in Israel and all over the world, with its pie in the sky demands and proposals, having apparently learned nothing from past failures and mistakes. It is so hard to let go of ideologies firmly held by previous generations in spite of the fact that they have proven to be wrong headed and unsuccessful and impractical. The old generation has passed but the old ideas somehow still hold sway.
It is imperative that the new generation bring with it new ideas in the Jewish and general world. Practical plans for a better and wider system of Torah education, for stronger family life and realistic recognition of the human and physical problems involved in marriage and child raising, a coming together of practical steps to strengthen Torah knowledge and observance in Israel and the Diaspora, realistic relations with all types of Jews and Jewish organizations, all are challenges that will face the coming generation. Hopefully, that generation will prove wiser and more successful in dealing with these challenges than its predecessors. The "world remains eternally" promises us that there never will be any easy escape from new challenges and difficulties. Every generation is judged by its responses to its diverse problems and challenges. The departure of the old, sad and sorrowful as it is, creates the opportunities for those who come after them. Such is the way of the world as ordained by the Master of all of us.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.