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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: The relationship between prayer and knowledge of Hashem is different from that between Torah and knowledge of Hashem. In relation to prayer, one draws closer to Hashem only based on an internal, personal sense, based on the emotions of his spirit and the knowledge he previously internalized. It is on the basis of this emotion that prayer is founded.
Torah, in contrast, provides a person with knowledge and insight to absorb additional knowledge which transcends his personal emotions, taking external wisdom and introducing it into his internal spirit. This enables the person to become elevated from holy concepts that go beyond what he naturally is capable of. However, this is possible only if he prepared his personal spirit properly, and in that way, Torah is dependent on periodic prayer, which prepares him to make the most of the experience of Torah study.
For this reason, someone who leaves a shul, after renewing the strength of his inner emotion, and enters a beit midrash to fill his intellect with wisdom from without, will merit greeting the face of the Divine Presence. This is different from the benefit from the glow of the Divine Presence (see Ein Ayah, Berachot 9:357), which relates to the perception of the divine that depends on the spiritual abilities of the perceiver. Here the reference is to a higher level of encounter with the Divine Presence, by grasping the true pleasantness of Hashem, from an objective perspective, not just that which relates to the person’s internal spirit. However, the external knowledge can be effectively absorbed only when it is connected to the internal. This joining of powers is what the gemara means by "from strength to strength."
If one wanted to describe man’s recognition of knowledge of Hashem as it relates to his internal spirit, it should have said that "he sees Hashem," implying that it will be perceived according to his ability to see. However, it is a higher level to connect to this recognition from the perspective of the objective truths of the world, as they can theoretically be absorbed by man. To describe the latter, the pasuk says: "he will be seen by Hashem," implying that it refers to that which is beyond him personally. It is not as if the person sees but he will feel that he is seen by Hashem. In other words, the knowledge that is part of the person’s spirit is apparent as it is connected to Hashem.
The pasuk relates this to Zion, which represents the accumulation and connection of that which is external with that which is internal. After all, Jerusalem’s strengths influence that which is outside it. It represents the Kingdom of Israel existing as a light to the kingdoms of the world. Zion also includes inner values that relate specifically to Israel and how they relate to values and conceptions that are more universal.
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.
