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Beit Midrash
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Gemara: Rav Yehoshua the son of Rav Idi came to Rav Ashi’s home. They prepared for him the third calf of its mother (a choice type of meat). They said to him: "Will our master please eat?" He told them that he was in the midst of a fast day. They said to him: "Do you not accept that which Rav Yehuda said: "A person can ‘borrow’ the fast [he accepted upon himself] and ‘pay it back’ [a different day]."
Ein Ayah: There is a rule about mitzvot and obligations of the Torah, especially in matters between man and Hashem. They are supposed to have a desired impact not only in general but even on every individual to make him close to Hashem and bring him to holy actions, characteristics, and viewpoints. On the other hand, a person’s life has to continue normally, without the Torah making overly taxing moral demands on him, as the Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:6) says regarding the Torah acting harmoniously with nature.
Although the goal is that the Torah will make the maximum contribution to every individual, the Torah is still addressed to the community as a whole and its needs. It is forbidden for the individual to "break through the fences" and change limitations and times, even if according to a person’s specific level and situation it would have been better for him had the mitzva been in a different manner or time. This is because the individual has no right to demand that his particular spiritual needs be addressed in the face of unchanging details of the ways of the Torah.
On the other hand, there are opportunities for individual service of Hashem, such as accepting vows and becoming a nazir, through which an individual can construct certain unique added guidelines for himself that are in consonance with his personal needs. There are a variety of related forms that such an approach of accepting additional practices that fit one’s approach of sanctity and piety can take. One of them is a ta’anit yachid (fast of the individual).
Since its whole purpose is to align the personal spiritual needs to correspond to the regular halachot’s appropriateness for the entire community, this sends the message that the standard rules are immutable and cannot be compromised by the individual. To strengthen this message, it is proper that the parameters of such additions of the individual be as flexible to the changing needs of the individual as can be. In that way, the individual can be especially spiritually served while not harming the rules made for the entire community [by equating one with the other].
For that reason, when one has accepted a standard ta’anit yachid, it is possible to "borrow and pay back" if the original day does not presently coincide with his spiritual or even his physical needs. That is indeed in line with the distinction – the community’s obligations are set and unchanging; the special additions for the individual are flexible and fluid.
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.
