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Beit Midrash
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Ein Ayah: Life is full of battles. Someone who gives his friend the perception that the path of life is straight and does not alert him to the spiritual and physical pitfalls and obstacles deprives him of the power of being "armed for battle" against these challenges so that he can reach his desired goal. That is the point of the proper blessing one should give when taking leave of his friend: "go to peace." This blessing hints at the fact that the peace and completeness we strive for is always at a distance; we have not arrived at it yet. We remind our friend that there are many things fighting him, and therefore he should strive to remove these obstacles. He should realize that the path itself is not paved with peace, so that one can wish him that he will be going in peace. Rather, the path is full of obstacles that are the opposite of peace. When he makes efforts to overcome all of them, he will arrive at peace.
These difficulties of life are very different for one who has completed life and is at the point where his spirit rests. No one is fighting him or disturbing his ability to rest. The goal of the ascent that one climbs during life is that when he reaches the mountain of Hashem to enjoy the light of the King of Life, the physical battles that have to do with man’s inclinations toward the materialism will no longer be relevant. At that point, we bless the deceased person that he should go straight to his eternal rest "in peace." In other words, after death, even the path is full of peace, not just the destination. It is possible to go from one level to an even higher level. However, along the way there will be nothing that is meant to be an obstacle, which needs to be overcome or may impede the peace.
Specifically, we have two polar descriptions of parts of life: life involves toil; death involves rest. The description of life as being full of toil along with the need for strengthening is intended to bring one to increase his diligence. The description of death as restful is intended to lessen the fear of death and calm the spirit. It also encourages one to work and be active during the time that is set aside for activity, during the years Hashem granted him to do so, in order to increase the good and the peace.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Rabbis in Midrash
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
