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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: Fear and love are two emotions that a person has to acquire in order to walk on the pure path of Hashem. The broad results of fear are the lowering of one’s spirit and the retreat in one’s efforts so that one will not burst forth beyond his boundaries and thereby damage the good path. This is the opposite of the effect of love, which expand one’s powers so that he can accomplish ever-increasing good things.
One cannot know exactly how to create the proper balance between the different emotions he should cultivate. At what times should he focus on internalizing fear of Hashem? When should he focus on love of Hashem, which widens the heart?
The best idea is to take a look at the standing of the broad community and to see how Hashem is acting toward the world. There can be great swings in the mood. Sometimes there is a spirit of happiness and excitement, and sometimes there are stormy times that contain frightening circumstances. An individual should view himself as part of the general situation of the world, at least that part of the world that is close to him. The situation around him should be the greatest indicator of whether it is appropriate to focus on a fear that serves as a roadblock to powers of evil, or whether he should increase acquisition of love that expands his positive powers.
When there is pain in the world, this is a sign that there had been a lacking in those characteristics that are related to pain in the generation. Rav Kahana would then clench his hands and remove his cloak before davening to stress that it was necessary to increase the level of fear. When there was peace in the world, it was time to expand the powers of goodness. At that time he would "wear" happiness and cloak himself in clothes of honor and grandeur. This was to widen his heart, increase the vigor in performing good deeds, and expand the completeness of the mind and the light of Hashem. He did this in the spirit of "Prepare for approaching your G-d, O Israel."
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.
