YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: The Torah gives one knowledge that flows from the springs of truth. This is eternal life, as truth is eternal. Prayer, in contrast, is not a matter of enrichment with new truths to feed the mind, but is an application of old spiritual knowledge to impact the soul. Sometimes the less pure vision excites the emotion because it is a product of material. For that reason it was permitted to use in tefilla descriptions of Hashem that are appropriate for the realm of emotion. Intellect does not require the deepening of the impression, just a widening of the knowledge itself. Only because the body weighs on the intellect is there a need to internalize. Because Torah relates more to eternal truths and tefilla relates more to the body, it is wrong to abandon Torah for the more transient tefilla.
Rav Hamnuna based his thesis – that the time for the two holy activities are independent – on the idea that one should learn where his heart tells him to because one’s internal inclination is a reliable indicator of what will best assist his spirit. The same is true in the choice of balance between Torah and tefilla. The intellect is not proficient at deciding to what extent it should be sustained by pure Torah and intellect and to what extent it needs to be seasoned by emotion. Therefore, a person’s inner inclination should lead him. Some people will be drawn to the treasures of the Torah, which is the mainstay of the individual and the collective. However, when he feels that at a certain time he is emotionally drawn to pour out his soul before Hashem, it is a sign that this is his most urgent need, even more than the loftier Torah. Indeed, the time for Torah and for tefilla are independent, even though the general rules of when tefilla is appropriate are set based on the needs of the community.
Torah vs. Tefilla – Part II
(condensed from Ein Ayah, Shabbat 1:7)
Gemara: Rav Yirmiya was sitting before Rav Zeira, and they were involved in Torah study. It was getting late to daven, and Rav Yirmiya was anxious to leave. Rabbi Zeira attributed the following pasuk to him: "He who removes his ear from hearing Torah, his tefilla will also be an abomination" (Mishlei 28:9).
Ein Ayah: A person is naturally drawn to holy emotions, and he requires tefilla to quiet, complete, and express them. However, mistakes can be made because, along with holy emotions, he has many and varied other emotions and desires for physical things. Clearly, one’s desires for the physical should be guided by the rules and wisdom of Torah, which find the straight path for man, and without which he will fall into a path of destruction.
One is liable to think that regarding spiritual desires, including love of Hashem and enjoying His glory, he does not need the guidance of Torah but can allow his spirit to soar, yearn, and sing as it sees fit. If so, when the time for tefilla comes, he should abandon Torah and cling to tefilla. Therefore, Shlomo Hamelech taught us that with an abandonment of Torah, even the loftiest emotions can go beyond boundaries. That is why Rav Zeira considered it a mistake to hurry to leave the setting of Torah to go to tefilla. He reinforced the message that even the lofty needs to be guided by the intellect of Torah. Not only could his physical desires turn into an abomination, but even his tefilla could become one.
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
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.
