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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Yom Kippur
- Yom Kippur Prayers
By far, the highest number of transgressions in the list – no less than eleven – result from mistakes of the mouth. Defamation, slander, swearing falsely, gossip, untrue talk, foolish talk, offensive talk; it all begins when we open those two gates – our lips & our teeth - & let our snakelike tongue out to wreak its verbal havoc.
So guarding our words, & choosing them oh, so very carefully, is a highly-recommended way to lessen that list of "speech defects" that afflicts virtually all of us (certain mimes may be ahead of the rest of the pack!).
But I believe that the problem is not only with the things we say. An equal or even greater problem may stem from that which we do NOT say! And so I would like to suggest three phrases – each of which consists of no more than three little words! - that can make a huge difference in our relationship with others and, by extension, in our relationship with Hashem.
1) HOW ARE YOU? Asking about another’s welfare is the quickest way to move out of "ego-mode" & into "care/share" mode. But don’t say it as an unconscious, meaningless nicety; mean it, & wait for an answer. And if the person you are addressing has recently undergone
an illness, or a trauma, let them know that you are genuinely interested in their struggle, & that, at the very least, you are prepared to listen attentively to their concerns.
2) THANK YOU. We are called "Jews" or "Yehudim;" the root of the word means "acknowledgement" or "thank you." Giving thanks, "hakarat ha-tov," is one of our most important qualities & responsibilities. It affirms that we are not an island unto ourselves; that we need others & they need us. We connect to others by the acts, large & small, that we do on behalf of them, & vice-versa. "Thanks" says, "I don’t take you for granted; I appreciate you."
3) I’M SORRY! We are not perfect; we make mistakes. We can be careless, & hurt people. A big person, a humble person, can "re-boot" a damaged relationship in an instant with these simple, apologetic words of regret.
So, on this Yom Ha-Din, I thank you for reading this; I’m sorry if I offended you, & by the way, How Are You?!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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.
