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The Torah writes: "Should a man give his friend money (kesef) or utensils (keilim) to watch and it was stolen from the house of the man, if the thief is found he must pay double" (Shemot 22:6). The basic laws of a shomer chinam are that he is exempt from payment if the object is stolen unless he was negligent in the way he watched it. He must, though, swear that he is not responsible and that he did misappropriate the object during the time he was watching it, which would make him liable for any damages that would befall the object.
The Sefat Emet gives the following, ethical interpretation of this section, based on the assumption that it is Hashem who gives these things to man to watch. "Kesef" hints at a man’s desires and will, for, like money, it enables man to carry out his plans. "Keilim" refers to a man’s body, the utensil used in actions a man does during his lifetime. Hashem entrusts man with these special items to use for his main purpose in life, to serve Hashem. The thief who desires to take the money and utensils for himself is the "yetzer hara," who tries to make man use that which he was entrusted with for improper activities.
If we are successful watchmen, we can uncover the thief and protect the welfare of our kesef v’keilim. If we do so, we will receive double payment. The Sefat Emet suggests that the best way to succeed as a "watchman" is to stay away from unnecessary pleasures, for this he considers misappropriation, which heightens our liability. On the contrary, if we dedicate ourselves to service of Hashem, then we are exempt from payment even if the thief succeeds from time to time.
The first mishna of Perek Hamafkid takes on a new dimension according to the symbolic approach to the p’sukim. If the watchman volunteers to pay for the loss of the object and then the object is found in the hands of a thief, the thief has to pay double to the watchman. The gemara points out that the watchman does not even have to actually pay in order to get the double payment, but to be willing to pay (Bava Metzia 34a). This is a hint at someone who was not successful in foiling the yetzer hara’s plot, but instead of trying to find an excuse and swear that he is not to blame, he accepts responsibility for his failure. If he willingly does teshuva, then he can reach a higher spiritual level than he started with. This concept, that when one does real teshuva, his sins become like merits, is the equivalent of the watchman’s receiving double payment.
The Sefat Emet shows us again how to derive deep, ethical lessons from any section of the Torah.
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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.
