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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: Hashem planted the power of imagination in man so that he can picture the good and the bad that can come in the future. In that mode, the picture is generally more extreme than what actually happens, and this is for man’s benefit.
When the good is exaggerated in a person’s imagination, he is able to enjoy his expectations in a more joyous and optimistic light, which strengthens his body and spirit. When the bad is portrayed in an exaggerated way, so that it is more frightening than what actually occurs, it will make the person more determined to avoid that which can bring on the realization of the negative possibility.
Dreams are a result of the power of imagination, even though they have a connection to a person’s future, based on the deep plan that Hashem set when He created the world and connected the powers of physicality, spirituality, and ethics to each other. However, since they emerge from the power of imagination, dreams, whether good ones or bad ones, cannot be fulfilled fully.
An Uninterpreted Dream
(condensed from Ein Ayah, Berachot 9:37)
Gemara: Rav Chisda said: A dream that was not interpreted is like a letter that was not read (Rashi- it is not good and not bad, for all dreams follow their interpretations).
Ein Ayah: A letter that is sent is a sign of the desires of the person who sent the letter. It can also be a factor in whether these wishes are fulfilled. Whether or not the recipient reads the letter obviously does not change the desire of the sender. However, whether or not he reads it impacts whether his desire is carried out. Reading it may help it come about. If the recipient does not read it, though, the sender can still work on having his desire fulfilled in other ways.
Since dreams are a set part of the nature of a person’s soul, they must have a purpose. One of the purposes is to prepare a person for that which may come to him in the future. Like other powers that serve people, a dream’s positive or negative potential is realized when one connects human intellect to it. So too, the realization of preparing a person for what will be in the future by means of a dream is connected to the interpretations of dreams. The interpretation incorporates the understanding of the spirit, the quality of the imagination, and its connection to what transpires in the world.
When one has a dream interpreted correctly, it turns out that the dream properly prepares him for a future event. If it is not interpreted, this preparation is not made. Certainly, the desire of He who sent the dream does not change as a result of the lack of interpretation. Rather, Hashem will see to it that that which needs to transpire will transpire with the help of other factors, whether external or internal. Still we view those who interpreted a dream and were thereby involved in its realization as if they caused the result. This is similar to what Chazal said about the pasuk (regarding one who did not erect a fence around his roof): "Lest the one who falls fall" (Devarim 22:8): the person was fit to fall from the six days of creation, but good things are brought about by good people and bad things by bad people (Shabbat 32a).
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.
