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[This gemara and its explanation are counter-intuitive and ostensibly counter to Rav Kook’s general approach.]
Gemara: [After being told he was to die on Shabbat, David said:] "Let me die on Sunday." Hashem replied: "The time for your son Shlomo’s kingdom has already arrived, and one kingdom may not touch another even in the slightest." "Let me die on Friday." Hashem replied: "‘For one day in your courtyards is better than a thousand’ (Tehillim 84:11) – I prefer one day that you sit and are involved in Torah to a thousand burnt sacrifices that Shlomo is destined to bring before Me on the altar."
Ein Ayah: Divine Providence deals with mankind’s progression, which is designed to bring the collective to the high level its Maker set for it. Therefore, factors that are to make major changes in the leadership are synchronized precisely. When a national leader begins his reign, his actions are noticeable, as they include major changes according to his new spirit. As he ages, matters follow the path he forged in his youth. This pattern of fast and slow steps and breaks is part of natural history. When Providence decrees the need for a new era to begin, with its many innovations, a delay of even one day is of inestimable consequence, for all the changes and their contributing factors are interconnected.
David did not want to die on Shabbat so that the ensuing sadness would not take away from the nation’s tranquility. He did not want his death to be fit for him as an individual, but appropriate for communal needs. However, his concern for the collective was as the collective related to him as an important individual. The nation’s more basic need was to follow its path, which included inaugurating the era of Shlomo Hamelech. The changes he was to make could not be delayed even slightly in deference to an individual’s needs, great as they might be.
David then reasoned that it was acceptable to end his era, which was at a point of slow progression, a day early. The communal progresses over time, despite some regression for the sake of subsequent progression, as Hashem created the world for it to advance. Therefore, starting a new period earlier can be fine. However, although the collective concern is more important than the individual one, as it pertains to many, still the collective’s standing depends on the individuals of which it consists. The advancement of the collective is supposed to advance the individuals, which is absolutely central in regard to the life and spiritual advancement of an especially lofty and important individual. In David’s case, he had already reached such a level of sanctity and holy spirit that he was an individual who was the foundation of the collective. His Torah study, while an act of private development, was more beloved to Hashem than actions that helped prepare other individuals to emulate him.
Sacrifices, especially in great volume, are designed primarily to impress the collective with the honor of Heaven. But Hashem said many times (see Tehillim 50:8, Yirmiya 7:22) that this is not His primary concern. Heightened morality and understanding of Hashem bring one to as high a spiritual level as sacrifices can. Certainly, service with sacrifices is critical for the community, when the nation assembles at the house of Hashem and performs service according to the Torah’s rules. This influences people to desire to follow the path of Hashem, and many individuals will be improved by things such as a thousand sacrifices that Shlomo offered. However, the Torah study of the already established holy person is the fruit itself that Hashem loves. That is why Hashem was not willing to pass up on David’s holy actions for a day even in order to hasten in the preparatory actions that would begin with his death.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
