YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: When a person is elevated to the point that he becomes close to Hashem and has the benefit of true intellectual realizations, then he will be drawn to service of Hashem and all elements of good with love and the understanding of the good that is included in the mitzvot. However, then he has to be careful not to decide that all the goodness and the desired benefit from the mitzvot is that which he has been able to realize with his intellect. In fact, people’s thoughts change, and in different generations there will be different abstract conceptions. On the one hand, one is supposed to explore the understanding of Torah and mitzvot according to the power of his intellect and the purity of his heart and increase the power of his approach to Hashem according to intellectual inspiration. However, on the other hand, he should exercise the approach which we can call, "I am simple and do not know; I was like an animal with You" (Tehillim 73:22). He should contemplate that in relation to the true value of the Torah and the mitzvot, all that he is able to understand is like nothing. Therefore, even if he is on a high level, epitomized by ma’aser sheni, which indicates that every person has an element of kehuna in him, he should not build the foundation of his service on that intellect.
Therefore, a wise person’s crowning achievement is to lower his spirit when building the basis of his service. The simple idea is one which is appropriate for us on our lowly level even though for the Master of all that happens in the world, there is a much more complex understanding of Torah and mitzvot. That is why we conclude the declaration upon completing the fulfillment of the mitzvot of ma’asrot with a very simple concept, one which a simpleton is also capable of saying, and that is the following.
Hashem’s decrees are to be followed. As a simple and straightforward result of our compliance to Hashem’s decree, we are to expect that since we did what Hashem demanded, He will keep the related promises. A person should not connect what he considers his deep understanding of the significance of the mitzvot to appropriate outcomes of the actions. Indeed, as much as we can intellectualize, we will not reach the bottom of the matter. Rather we should teach our heart to approach the matter simply and express the simple philosophy of reward for good deeds without additional reasons and attempts at sophistication. From this will stem the good fruit of lofty blessing that flows from the grandeur of fulfilling the Torah. The great message of holding back our knowledge of Hashem’s grand plan as perceived by our weak ability to grasp is best expressed when we explain the consequences of mitzvot most simply – Hashem decrees and fulfills His promise when we fulfill the decree.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
