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Gemara: There was a case of a certain student who studied much [Mishna], read much (mikra = Tanach]), and spent much time in shimush talmidei chachamim ("serving" Torah scholars), yet he died at half of life expectancy.
Ein Ayah: The normal order of advancing in Torah study when one starts as a young child is Tanach, followed by Mishna, followed by Talmud, which is, in effect, shimush talmidei chachamim.
There are three areas in which one has to build himself through Torah study: 1) emotions of the heart, which listens and gravitates towards goodness, sanctity, and fear of Hashem; 2) practical knowledge, which enables bringing the good emotions to fruition by leading a Torah lifestyle; 3) development of the intellect in analysis of deep ideas, whether they be in practical matters that require analysis or in abstract philosophical matters.
If a young child does not start with mikra, there is no point to learn Mishna. He is unable to understand the practical system of living life according to the rules, for he is unaware of life’s details and complications, which require one to learn what to do in a disciplined manner. Only when one encounters "darkness" does he feel the need for the light of Hashem to guide him. A child, who is still naïve, cannot contemplate life’s complexity, as his enthusiastic worldview makes everything look like a well-lit plain full of truths. He is unprepared, before his intellect is more developed, to deal with many detailed rules that govern daily life.
A child is more prepared for emotions of sanctity, whose light his pure heart can absorb. That is why Tanach is most appropriate for him in the first stage. This awakens good emotions, such as a feeling of closeness to Hashem and a sense of His mercy, providence, and the love and concern for His creations, especially Israel, the nation closest to Him. The ethics taught by the prophets and the praises of Hashem that are found in Tanach awaken the natural holy emotions within man and lead him on a straight and holy path.
Later on, when the maturing person becomes more involved in life’s intricacies, he needs to be guided by specific rules, found in the study of Mishna. Finally, armed with a basis of both emotions and knowledge of what actions he needs to take, he is prepared to develop an analytical intellect.
If one embarks upon the study of Torah as an adult who already feels the "yoke of life," it behooves him to begin with practical matters before he tries to enhance the splendor of a proper emotional approach. At this point, challenges of life may make it difficult to achieve the feelings espoused by the Torah and the Prophets. Therefore, a later learner should switch the natural order of a child and begin with Mishna before mikra. That is why the gemara stressed that the student did a lot of Mishna, and then a lot of mikra, and then a lot of shimush talmidei chachamim.
Shimush talmidei chachamim is a well-known name for the analytical elements of Torah study. This teaches us that included in these high-level studies are matters that cannot be transmitted by word of mouth, for they are beyond language. This applies to areas that touch on the highest levels of contemplating godliness and also to matters of ethics that emanate from the depths of the soul. In these cases, when one spends time observing talmidei chachamim, seeing physical actions conveys the sense of how their hearts work. This enables him to understand the analytical part that cannot be expressed through words of the mouth or the pen. Rather, it is engraved on the understanding heart of the wise and enables the perceiver to "cling to Hashem" by clinging to talmidei chachamim (see Devarim 30:20 and Sifrei to Devarim 11:22). In these cases, words are limited, and the essence of the holy lifestyle is found in the life of the scholars. The means of arriving at that deep understanding is by spending time with them.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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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.
