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Beit Midrash
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Gemara: Rav Huna used to pass by the entrance of the house of Rabbi Avin the Carpenter and saw many Shabbat candles lit. He said: "Two great men will come from here." Rav Idi bar Avin and Rav Chiya bar Avin came from them. Rav Chisda used to pass by the entrance to the house of Rav Shizbi’s father and saw many Shabbat candles lit. He said: "A great man will come from here." Rav Shizbi came from them.
Ein Ayah: The inner desire to create significant sacred light can expand based on an act of a related mitzva such as Shabbat candles to add vitality to the spirit in a way that enables it to produce light of Torah in the world and thereby light up dark places. This spiritual power from themitzva can emerge by one’s child being a talmid chacham who lights up the world’s darkness.
The extent to which the mitzva impacts spiritually depends on the preparation of the person who performs the mitzva to receive the good result. In general, the light of Torah can be divided into the practical and the theoretical, which, for example, is behind the distinction between halacha and the Torah’s philosophical elements. Some are oriented toward the practical and focus on it, whereas others focus on the theoretical.
In general, the human mind is divided into these two categories. It is worthwhile for a person to have capabilities in both realms, but it is common for a person who is great in one realm to be lacking in the other. There are some unique people who have in their spirit double capabilities; their theoretical side does not impinge on their practical side and they are able to reach achievement in both. In fact, with these two areas of capability, they are able to accomplish things that give added power to each specific realm.
The activities in which a person is involved often indicate his inner strengths. If one is wise, it is a sign that he possesses the ability to be wise. If one is a craftsman, he must have natural abilities in that realm. Being a talmid chacham requires theoretical, conceptual wisdom, as even the practical side of Torah is based on conceptual depth. Ability in craftsmanship is certainly related to the practical side, which is also called a form of wisdom (see the p’sukim, such as Shemot 35:31-33, regarding the artisans who constructed the Mishkan and its vessels).
When Hashem’s blessing and the spiritual result of his mitzva take hold on one who performs it by finding positive expression in his son, it usually takes effect within the bounds of ability that the father passed on to his son. The storehouse of the father’s strengths transferred to his son, whether or not the father maximized them, usually relates to eitherthe practical or the theoretical realm. However, when someone, in addition to being a talmid chacham, is also an artisan, this is a sign that he possesses strength in both realms. The greatest blessing is that the twin tendencies will find positive expression in his sons, enabling them to reach full greatness.
Rabbi Avin the Carpenter possessed both practical and theoretical strengths, as his name indicated. Therefore, Rav Huna expected his inclination toward light to result in two sons who are talmidei chachamim reaching full greatness. Rav Chisda, in contrast, did not see double strength in Rav Shizbi’s father. He was thus concerned that if he would spread the blessing over multiple offspring, the blessing would be weakened, as happens when greatness is limited to one realm. He reasoned that high quality in one person was preferable to quantity that is more modest. Under such circumstances, he preferred a person specializing in one field, as we find Levi’im who either tend to the gates or to singing, and as we find one who is a king or a kohen but not both.
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
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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.
