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Beit Midrash
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If one calls out in prayer over something in the past (i.e., that is already determined) this is a worthless prayer. For example, if one whose wife is pregnant prays: "May it be His will that my wife will give birth to a boy," this is a worthless prayer. Or, if one was on the road and hears cries of anguish in the city, and he prays: "May it be His will that it is not from my home," this is a worthless prayer.
Ein Ayah: Although prayer is based on emotion, it also has to be influenced by logic, to the degree that the emotion needs to be attached to reality. It is true that the goal and the workings of prayer are to improve a person spiritually. [This is a thesis that Rav Kook discusses in many places – sometimes Hashem allows a person to receive that which He has destined for him only by means of his praying for it, in order for this experience to attach the person to Him]. This is why the ultimate wisdom arranged in advance that as everything has a correct time, so too will matters arise that will motivate a person to pray for certain needs. The moral lift for a person’s personality that he will receive through prayer will thereby fit the general reason that Hashem created the phenomena related to prayer and will justify the person’s specific request being accepted in the desired manner.
For this process of prayer to be of proper value, two conditions must be fulfilled in regard to the nature of the request. One is that the request must be accomplishable by natural means with which the world functions. If this is fulfilled, then prayer becomes a link in the chain that joins the existence of the world along the lines of wonderful order and divine wisdom. The other condition is that the prayer has to follow lines of healthy logic. In such a way the prayer itself improves the internal spirit and at times creates a situation where it is appropriate for his specific request to be accepted by Hashem. When a prayer is either missing conforming to the nature of the world or is an illogical request, it will not bring the desired closeness to Hashem.
The two worthless prayers spelled out by the mishna are lacking in the two aspects that we have described, respectively. The prayer that the pregnant woman will give birth to a boy is against nature. [This is because it would be of value only if the fetus was a girl and was changed due to the prayer into a boy, which would of course be against the rules of nature]. The prayer about the source of the cries of anguish is not even logical, as it about something in the past. The fact is that the cries emanated from one place or another, and the prayer cannot change that which already happened. Such prayers that do not follow the mode of proper requests not only will not be answered, but do not even provide a person with the experience of prayer in which his spiritual being can be improved. That is why they are called worthless prayers.
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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.
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.
