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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.
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
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.
