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Aharon the priest, and the high priests of later generations, placed the breastplate over his heart. The heart finds special emphasis in many verses:
And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goes in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually. And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD; and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.
Aaron wears the names of Israel, the Urim and the Thummim, and shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel on his heart. What's the special emphasis and connection between the Hoshen and the heart and what are those three things that Aaron has upon his heart?
The Pele Yoetz writes that all of Judaism and serving God depends on the heart. Rabbi Elazar ben Arach teaches a proper lifestyle is identified with a good heart. The heart is the center of the human body and therefore represents something main and central, but it also represents three other things: life, desire and a special wisdom. When we say that someone's heart beats, we mean he has life. Desires or feelings are attributed to the heart and when we say that someone has a special intelligence, wisdom beyond ordinary logic, we say his heart is wise. In other words, the heart represents the integration of logic detached from life and life disconnected from logic, and the whole result gives more than the sum of the parts.
Since the heart contains the different sides of life, we can say that the essence of life depends on it. This is another reason that the heart is central, everything comes from it. Choosing a way of life with a "good heart" doesn't only change a certain aspect of life, but the whole life. In a similar way, placing something against the heart shows the centrality of the object or a similarity with the heart.
Laying the breastplate over the heart is mentioned in three contexts: the names of Israel, the oracle and the courts.
1. In the same way that each of the twelve tribes of Israel is different and unique, each person has his own character. Each tribe has a special way to serve God, but despite various desires, each has the same basic desire - to serve God. Putting the tribes' names on different stones put on one garment upon the heart unites all desires to the same lofty yet deep desire.
2. The oracle where the holy name was inserted between the folds of the breastplate. This name revived the garment, you could talk through it with God and receive an answer through the miraculous shining of the stones. The breastplate also shows that the source of Israel's life depends on God and also establishes a connection to the source of life!
3. Israel's law is different from that of the other nations. Our laws are not just human laws or arbitrary laws, but the laws of God that fit exactly roughest nature. The Sanhedrin court is also different from other courts. The Gemara in Tractate Berakhot (6) says that God is with three judgments sitting in court. The verdict stems not only from logic but also from supernatural wisdom, the wisdom of heart. The Breastplate laid on the heart shows the link between Jewish law and Divine assistance.
We cannot end without quoting from the Mishnah in Avot (1, 18) "Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel said, on three things the world stands, on the law, on truth and on peace."
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts