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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah:Belief in and acceptance of that which was said by great people is a pillar that lights up all dark places. This is so because not everyone can arrive at deep truths on his own, especially in regard to such important things as Torah and basic theological beliefs. This explains the importance of answering Amen, indicating full acceptance of blessings, which was instituted by the "fathers of the world," Anshei Knesset Hagedola and other great people.
However, the need for belief-based acceptance due to lack of understanding is a phenomenon of the individual, as he may be unable to reach the high level of knowledge of the ideas behind the blessings and prayers. That is why we answer Amen, as hinted in the pasuk: "Open the gates and let come the righteous nation who is careful about emunim (lit., trustworthiness, but understood as a hint to Amen)" (Yeshaya 26:2). However, the nation as a whole is the nation of Hashem, about whom it is written: "You were shown to know that Hashem is the G-d, there is none but Him" (Devarim 4:35).
When is a person limited to the realm of the individual, for whom tradition and belief are so necessary and important? That is when a person is in a framework of the individual and thinks about only events that occurred in his generation. Then he may see things that look foreign to him, and Hashem’s divine guidance of the world will not be intellectually clear to him. Then he will need simple belief. However, if we view all of the long history, we will see clearly all of the wondrous things that Hashem did, and we will be witnesses to the foundations of the Torah and belief.
The Mikdash is the center of sanctity on a collective level and is the place where even the individual is most likely to view matters on the broadest national level. He is exposed to incredible things: all the miracles that occurred and the wondrous unfolding of history from the beginning of time, with great Divine Providence. One does not need to accept matters there with Amen. Rather, through internal recognition, one will respond "Hashem is great and very extolled, in the city of our G-d, His holy mountain" (Tehillim 48:2). For this reason, they would not answer Amen in the Mikdash.
The blessing they would recite was "May Hashem, the G-d of Israel, be blessed from eternity to eternity." This blessing, which comes from intellectual recognition, is appropriate because the collective is not limited to one generation or period of time, but rather relates to Hashem as He functioned throughout eternity, from the past through the present
Each blessing is just a small part of a great ethical outlook that gives light within the general running of the world. This includes all the sources of blessings and praises: intellect, feeling, and personal ideas. This bit of light is lost within the vast light of the world. That is why the gemara cites the pasuk of "They will bless Your glorious Name, which is more lofty than any blessing or praise." The whole picture of Hashem’s involvement in the world throughout time engenders so much light that no language is able to express it. Therefore, "for Hashem, silence is praise" (Tehillim 65:2), and He is more lofty than any blessing or praise. We are able to utter with our mouths the greatness of Hashem according to our understanding if we acknowledge that we are referring to the realization of His greatness as it can be seen over the span of eternity.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
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.