YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- 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.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
