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Beit Midrash
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- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: The study of the accepted halachot of the Torah is very broad, providing the Torah’s instructions for a tremendous amount of practical cases. The many accepted halachot, if they are understood correctly, are sufficient to serve as the basis for solutions for all the new questions that arise. The problem is that in regard to cases that are offshoots of the standard sources, one needs great wisdom to avoid mistakes, specifically in comparing one thing to another when the two are not sufficiently equivalent.
Bekiut (amassing of knowledge) can be compared to a place where the essence of the Torah is stored, even as the offshoots end up being more numerous than the essence. However, even the new applications are related to the accepted conceptual roots of the matter. Bekiut then is the place that can accept the new matters into storage. There is a need, though, for a positive action and one of negating. Bekiut can positively amass answers for many halachot that cover the spectrum of matters related to the explicit sources. The matter of negating is the main purpose of sharpness – to weed out mistakes that can arise when applying the principles to new cases. Preventing such mistakes requires extreme wisdom.
We now can see the appropriateness of the metaphors the gemara uses – with sinai representing bekiut and oker harim representing sharpness. Mt. Sinai was chosen as the place where the Torah was given. The other mountains of the world were uprooted from the possibility of this distinction and are considered as blemished in comparison to Sinai (see Bereishit Rabba 99:1). Thus Sinai represents two things: its positive choice for the receiving of the Torah and the negating of the other mountains as venues. So too, the true applications of Torah logic that relate to the giving of the Torah at Sinai need to pass the test of uprooting mountains, i.e., weeding out that which would be a mistaken application and showing that they are not connected to Sinai. After removing the false, the truth stands out.
The question arose: which characteristic has priority for Torah leadership. There is logic that the rabbinic leader be one who is more prepared to be a resource for the leaders and great scholars of the generation, even if the simple masses have little direct benefit from him. This is because the impact that the Rosh Yeshiva has on the elite trickles down to all the individuals and elevates them.
There is, though, logic to the contrary – the work of the Rosh Yeshiva should be of direct impact on the masses. The knowledge of the sinai is something that is needed and appreciated by the broad constituency. The oker harim is exclusively helpful to the scholarly elite. That is why the answer given was that a sinai has precedence, and it is hinted to in the reason the gemara gave: "all need the owner of the grain." It is the fact that all need him that is the deciding factor, to the exclusion of one who is valuable to the few elite.
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
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
