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Beit Midrash
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- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: [In previous pieces, we saw what someone should think positively while reciting the blessing for bad things that occurred.] A statement is more individually oriented and more external than an internal thought. When a person gets used to saying, "All that is done from the Heavens is for the good," it will have an effect on the more inclusive and internal. In practice, as well, while the idea that everything is for the good relates to the collective [for sometimes the individual suffers for the benefit of the collective], the sense of security that it spawns can elevate an individual to the level of the collective.
[Let us now analyze the details of the story involving Rabbi Akiva.] There are various ways in which apparently bad things can come to a person. One way is by means of another person, who has free choice to either do bad or refuse to do good for his counterpart. Secondly, an animal, which is driven by his own needs, can cause damage to a person. Finally, some inanimate natural force can wreak havoc on a person in a very specific way that is precisely ordained from Above.
Each of these categories is found in Rabbi Akiva’s story and through them all Rabbi Akiva was actually saved from the captors who came to the town. The people of the town made the ostensibly harmful and cold-hearted decision to not allow Rabbi Akiva a place of lodging. The lion killed the donkey as it is apt to do, in a manner that deprived Rabbi Akiva of the source of transportation he needed, and the cat killed the rooster, which Rabbi Akiva needed for spiritual reasons (to get up early for Torah study and prayer). These too turned out to help save Rabbi Akiva through Divine Providence especially as it relates to those who fear Hashem. The final, apparently negative element was the blowing out of the candle. The loss of light, which brings happiness to the heart and soul, also turned out to be positive.
This story teaches us that one should not be overly perturbed when things seem to not go well, whether he is afflicted by human adversaries or by other means, and whether it affects him in the realm of worthy physical needs or spiritual ones. Everything is planned by Hashem in a complicated manner that, at the end, will bring about his salvation. If a person has a positive outlook on that which is happening to him, he can remain in good spirits, which can bring him better success in matters of Torah, knowledge, and fear of Hashem.
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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.
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.
