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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: The main idea of strengthening the community through the joining together of the powers of the individuals, which finds full expression by means of bikurim, includes all elements of unity. It goes as far as withholding honor and the expression of the high standing of the individuals who have earned these distinctions and not allow them to act independently according to their standards. People on a high level will lovingly agree to sacrifice their freedom of action upon realizing that it brings on bad results for the community.
There are matters that are done according to the Torah in a set manner. The fact that there is a set formula negates people’s ability to express their spiritual feelings based on their personal level and outlook. Whenever it does not hurt the community, it is good for each capable individual to go about his spiritual life in a manner that fits his characteristics. However since the lack of a set formula causes the general populace to lose its spirit [when unable to perform a spiritual task well], a set manner is formed. Once the formula is set, even those who do better without it are required to perform their religious obligations in the set way.
Prayer is a good example of this phenomenon. Those who have a particularly sensitive and wise nature are more fully inspired by praying according to the manner they choose, based on their insights and their feelings, as was done before there was a set text. When it becomes necessary to arrive at a set text for the welfare of the community, an individual certainly must not separate himself from the community. Even if he feels that being limited to a set formula steals his spiritual breadth, he should realize that our work on behalf of the community includes many sacrifices, including spiritual ones, which are the greatest sacrifices a spiritual person can make.
This lesson is revealed nicely in the context of bikurim. [The text of mikra bikurim was set by the Torah itself, but reciting it spontaneously is still more inspiring than having to repeat it after one who prompts him.] Until those who did not know how to recite it started to refrain from bringing their bikurim, it was proper to allow more independence in reciting the passages. It was certainly meaningful for those who could recite it themselves to freely express their emotions of love of Hashem with their own speech. However when the public need arose, to alleviate the problems of those who were unwilling to come, those who did not need help yet agreed to have it recited for them were happy that their agreement to curb their emotions provided an important service for the community.
The phenomenon addressed by the Rabbis’ decision served as a model for many things that were standardized, despite the fact that the wise would have preferred for them to have remained up to the individual, thereby allowing them to broaden their experience. This sacrifice is the greatest form of benevolence and an attribute of sanctity which leaders make upon realizing the benefit to the unity of the nation. They see what the future holds and value peace within the entire nation. "Seek the peace of Jerusalem; may all who love You have tranquility … On behalf of my brothers and friends, I will speak of peace in your midst. On behalf of the House of Hashem, our G-d, I will beseech goodness for you" (Tehillim 122:6-9).
[With this, we have finished Ein Ayah on Seder Zeraim and the second volume of the set.]
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
Army and War "If Haredim Should Serve in the IDF, So Should You"
IDF Service for Young Jewish Men from America
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.
