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One of the first lessons we learn is the prohibition of taking a bribe. For no matter how schooled we may be in proper conduct, a bribe preys upon our basest instincts & has the ability to skew our moral compass. Pointedly, the pasuk warns us that a bribe "blinds the eyes of the wise & perverts the words of the righteous. The clear implication is that no matter how wise or righteous one may be, he is never immune to the awesome, seductive power of money.
This idea is hinted at in the very Hebrew word for money, "kesef." It is quite similar to the word, "kishuf," which means "magic" or "sorcery." There is a mysterious, mystical, almost magical power that money has, often turning the most law-abiding, straight-shooting, rational person into a scoundrel who will sell out his community, his principles, even his own family for illicit gain.
The unit of money most often referred to in Jewish life is the shekel. That word is connected to "mishkal," weight, because at one time the weight of the coin – be it silver, gold or copper – determined its value.
But shekel is also connected to the word, "shikul," which means to evaluate or consider. Not so much to value something, but to evaluate it. That is, we should always weigh the pros & cons of money-related issues, & consider what we gain or lose from the actions we are about to take, or the money we are about to make.
When Hashem gave Moshe the law of machazit ha-shekel, the obligatory half-shekel donation that was given by everyone in the nation, Moshe was baffled. "How can something which is meant to ‘save our souls’ be effected via that which is so often the root of all evil - money?" he asked. So G-d showed Moshe a fiery coin & taught him, "Like fire, money can be used to create or destroy. It can be a source of greed, or help others in their need. It can make things burn, or assist others to learn. The choice is in the hands of the owner, & so this is one of the great tests of Man."
Life, you might say, is like a coin. It has two sides to it, two faces. The side that we choose is ultimately the face that we wear.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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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.
