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Beit Midrash
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Gemara: One makes the blessing [on Chanuka candles]: "… Hashem … Who commanded us to light …" Where did He command us? Rav Avya said: [It is derived from] "Do not stray from the matter that [the Rabbis] will say to you to the right or the left" (Devarim 17:11). Rav Nechemia said: "Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders and they will say to you" (ibid. 32:7).
Ein Ayah: All the mitzvot are designed for the lofty divinely ordained goal which includes all the good coming to the nation in the future. The path through which the glorious future comes is found in the mitzvot of the Torah, which we received in detail from Hashem, Master of actions, Who foresees the future generations.
Mitzvot of Rabbinic origin certainly follow the path that is paved for the mitzvot in general. However, it is impossible for even the greatest human mind to reach the connection to the wonderful future goals that can be accomplished by divine mitzvot. Therefore, we have to contemplate the source that justifies Rabbinic mitzvot [being compared, through their berachot, to Torah laws].
In order to move on to the glorious future, the nation has to reachshleimut (completeness) in both the material and the spiritual realms. Therefore, Rabbinic mitzvot are drawn from the "well of fresh water" of the Assembly of Israel, which is the foundation of the Oral Law. This gives deep perspective to the, albeit human, intellect, and when Ruach Hakodesh (Divine Spirit) is included, it is possible to gaze onto the future and create appropriate Rabbinic laws.
There are two elements to strengthening the nation. One is strengthening it spiritually and physically in the present. The second is to connect the character of the nation to its critical sources, which ensures that the nation will maintain its purity. If the nation strays from its base connection to its Divine source, its present status will not be able to protect it because then it is not the same nation that is to be preserved. The nation even runs the risk of being destroyed or fully dispersed.
In relation to the goal of preserving the nation in the shorter term, according to the needs of the generation and/or subsequent generations that the Rabbis identified, they instituted Rabbinic laws. This is represented in the pasuk "Do not stray from the matter that [the Rabbis] will say," which applies to the Rabbinical courts of all eras, as long as they are central courts that impact on the whole nation.
In regard to the second element that the Rabbis have to accomplish with their laws and institutions, connecting the source of the nation to its past, the pasuk that represents this is "Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders and they will say to you." Always be connected to your past, because it is great and godly, and it is the source of your success. "When the divine gave place for the nations and separated people into groups, He fixed the boundaries of the nations according to number of the Sons of Israel. For His Nation is His part; Yaakov is the area of His portion" (Devarim 32:8-9). When one looks away from the past, it is no longer possible to find a connection to the nation even in the present. Then the nation turns into a herd of individuals in which each one lacks spiritual connections to others.
Therefore, the Rabbis’ mitzvot are based on a foundation that preserves the Jewish Nation in the present and strengthens and sanctifies it for the future based on its connections to the past. This is done with the ideas of not straying from the Rabbinic leaders and asking the elders for guidance.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Returning Torah to its Central Standing – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 312
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.