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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: If we connect the teachings of ethics to details in nature, we can learn a great lesson from this gemara.
Clouds are needed for the world, yet the clouds of the morning have no essence. The same is true of the spiritual ‘clouds,’ i.e., ethical ideas that cause people to act with fine qualities and to apply the teachings of the Torah throughout their lives with the highest levels of spirituality. The purpose of all these things is so that the Divine spiritual light will take hold in the hearts of man and pure and true ideas will be firmly entrenched in their souls.
Things, though, become more complicated when a new period in the history of our nation emerges. Divine Providence provides new energies that lead to a new and higher level of national life. However, in the beginning, before the light shines and there is still a need for the powers to strengthen, there is a problem of instability and spiritual deterioration. During ikveta d’meshicha (the ‘heels’ of, i.e., time prior to the coming of, Mashiach) there will be new powers that prepare us for the light of the scion of the House of David and of Hashem to shine upon us. However before everything is in working order there will be an abundance of chutzpa. This is what is referred to as the "birth pangs of Mashiach." People will look for new light that they have never experienced, and, as a result, many will stray from the conventional paths of good ethics and observance. This is metaphorically referred to by the clouds of morning: there is a new, glorious period in the making, but the positive elements are not yet reliable or of sufficient substance. Many will leave the proper path because the energies are present but the useable light has not appeared.
The gemara goes on to discuss rain’s impact on the donkey driver, considering that rain is more directly beneficial than the clouds that bring rain. Indeed, there will be spiritual influences that can impact even on materially-oriented people who are not prepared to absorb more abstract spirituality. These people are represented metaphorically by the donkey driver. Due to the rain, the donkey will not run after things it sees, but will be at rest. The bag, which was prepared to be filled with all sorts of physical matters, will be folded up rather than used. Even the simple donkey driver, representing the person who is less initiated in the ways of intellectuality and spirituality, will be at rest due to the more direct spiritual impact. This represents the possibility of escaping the birth pangs of Mashiach.
Whether people will prosper or flounder spiritually depends on whether the spiritual leaders of the generation will prepare the people on an ongoing basis. Proper spiritual preparation is referred to by a sky full of thick clouds, which will withstand the challenges of the new period. If there will only be exposure to weak spiritual powers (represented by flimsy clouds), then they will dissipate and be of little value, and people will experience serious deterioration. Therefore the rabbis have to teach the people how to appreciate and make proper use of the time’s spiritual opportunities. Then people will be able to increase their fear of Hashem until they will be ready to usher in the desired result of "the liberator will come to Zion" (Yeshaya 59:20).
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.
