YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah:The holy Torah is a blueprint of life that does not lead its followers to a life of abstinence from the pleasures of the physical world, as pleasures can raise a person’s personal level by bringing joy to his heart. Therefore, part of the characteristic of Torah is that it recognizes the need for a social life with friendships, which bring to the world a good life within society. This is particularly rewarding when one’s social group consists of good and scholarly people. Separation from other people and extreme asceticism, which is the approach of a significant portion of those people who, of their own, have sought closeness to Hashem, is a foreign idea to the Torah. For that reason, if one wants to acquire knowledge of Torah, he will succeed specifically by joining together with a group of learners, which shows the gains of avoiding isolation.
There are three main elements of danger when separating oneself from human interaction, especially for those who are involved in the world of philosophy and morality. Firstly one can be successful in improving the world through the ideas he studies only when his purity, fear of G-d, and understanding of Torah are accompanied by intellectual tolerance. It is crucial for the Torah thinker to deal openly with approaches to law, halacha, and even matters of morality that are different from his own viewpoint, so that he can fulfill "the truth and the peace shall you love" (Zecharia 8:19). This tolerance can only be achieved by a Torah scholar who studies Torah as part of a group and thereby becomes accustomed to different ways of thinking. Then he can see how the clear and straight approach is arrived at specifically by hearing a variety of scholarly views, in which the light of Hashem dwells.
When a person operates within a very narrow inner group and is unaware of a variety of people possessing logical but different approaches, he will not be able to stand viewpoints different from his own. This in turn is a strong cause of quarreling, which can bring to the "sword of discord" spreading throughout the nation, whether literally or figuratively. This unfortunate phenomenon starts from those who study Torah as individuals rather than study it with a spirit of "its sons/ its builders," as Chazal describe scholars who increase peace in the world (Berachot 64a).
The second problem of studying without a broad group is that the conclusions one arrives at are often wrong. Not only is the truth not attained intellectually, but the mistakes can cause one to sin in practice. Not only is a life of abstaining from permitted things a sin in and of itself (like a nazir who sins by forbidding wine upon himself), but a misguided rabbi can have a negative impact on society, if he does not arrive at clear conclusions, as is hinted at in one of the p’sukim the Rabbis cite in this context.
Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.
