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Beit Midrash
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Ein Ayah: There are certain things that bring benefit to mankind in two different ways: in a simple physical manner that may be similar to the benefit for an animal and in a manner that is unique to man due to his high spirit. It is proper to always remember that the fundamental benefit is the one that relates to man as a higher being.
One of the purposes of clothing is to protect man from cold. This is the type of benefit that could apply to animals as well. Actually, in this regard, animals have an advantage, as they are more protected by their hide and their fur, whereas man needs something external.
However, mankind has another benefit from clothes, in that they are a means of bringing him honor (see Shabbat 113a). The fact that man specifically is honored by clothes has to do with his intellectual superiority. A person’s realization of man’s superiority over animals is important to encourage him to preserve his special qualities and act in a refined and proper manner. This should remind him that because he has an elevated status, he needs to make sure not to get involved in behavior that lowers man to the level of the animals. It is, therefore, important for man to respect clothing, to demonstrate that the important part of clothes’ role is to maintain his honor and status by covering private parts of his body and to adorn him.
Because of the need for clothes for honor, nature saw to it that there would also be an ancillary purpose to protect the body from cold. The situation, theoretically, did not have to be this way. Man could have lived in a climate where he would not need clothes, and he would wear them just for their moral purpose. The Rabbis teach us that because of this connection between the two purposes of clothes, whoever disgraces clothes, thereby diminishing their honor regarding their main, lofty purpose, will not benefit from their lower purpose either, to give warmth. He thus sees that if the clothes did not serve, in his eyes, for the higher level, they lost their place and will not give warmth either. He will not be allowed to maintain the value of clothes just on the lower level.
This concept is intended to be applied to all physical enjoyment. Whenever there is a joint purpose, for totally animalistic benefit and for a benefit that reflects a higher level, one should always be careful that the benefit that reflects man’s higher level should remain the primary one. He should thereby be reminded to strengthen the side of his personality that relates to his godly spiritual side, which is full of knowledge and wisdom.
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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.