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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Shabbat and Holidays
- The High Holidays
- Rosh Hashana
What about Rosh Hashana? The Torah says nothing specific about the day’s significance, other than listing several special korbanot (fewer than any other yearly holiday) and the fact that there are some "horn blasts" or related remembrance. Chazal, of course, uncover the great significance. Rosh Hashana commemorates the creation of the world, and it is the day on which all of mankind is judged on a yearly basis (Mishna, Rosh Hashana 1:2). Yet, if we think about it again, we should wonder if there is any national element to this important day. All of mankind was created, and all of mankind is judged! Yet, we are the only ones who are commanded to commemorate the day. Do we or do we not have a special connection to the day?
One of the best ways of answering the question is by looking at the special berachot of Musaf of Rosh Hashana, which is a text that is paralleled only by the Haggada of Pesach in providing a framework for understanding the day. The first beracha, Malchuyot, is quite universalistic in talking about the need for the whole world to "coronate" Hashem in the broadest sense. Yet, it also discusses how a prominentAm Yisrael is a tool to bring this about. The beracha concludes "… King over all the land, Who sanctifies Israel and the Day of Remembrance." The second beracha, Zichronot, is also a mix of the universalistic, invoking the story of Noach, and national, discussing Avraham’s binding of Yitzchak and the resulting covenant. It ends off "… He Who remembers the covenant". The third beracha, Shofarot, is the one which clearly focuses on Israel, as we are the ones who communicate with Hashem with the shofar, starting with Hashem using it at Sinai and with our praising Him with it. The beracha concludes "… Who hears the sound of the blasts of His nation, Israel, with mercy."
We summarize as follows. Rosh Hashana is important for the whole world. However, the opportunity and obligation to act on it by means of a specific set of commemorations, with the shofar standing above all others, is reserved for us. Since the other nations do not have that, they are less likely to gain significantly from the day, which is balanced by the fact but they are not responsible or culpable for failing to do so. "Fortunate is the nation which knows the blasts."
Harav Avraham Yitzchak Hacohen Kook Weren't Rav Kook's Positions Unique Among Rabbis?
Translated by Hillel Fendel
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.