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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Shabbat and Holidays
- The High Holidays
- Yom Kippur
One is the individual’s obligation to afflict himself (Vayikra 16:29), in addition to the regular refraining from forbidden work that is found on other holidays and Shabbat. In other words, a person’s normal flow of life is stopped, and he is forced to think. The five prohibitions of affliction (some from the Torah, while others might be of Rabbinic origin) create a behavioral and thereby cognitive change. They cover different areas of basic human needs (in days past, anointing was important for hygiene).
The second element of Yom Kippur is the service carried out in theBeit Hamikdash by the Kohen Gadol, with the help of a few assistants. This very involved service was performed only once a year, and it was very different from daily sacrifices. The majority of the nation was uninvolved in the events in the Beit Hamikdash on Yom Kippur and certainly could not play an active role in them. The height of the service took place in a totally secluded place, the Holy of Holies, in which no one else was allowed to enter or see, and special precautions were taken to ensure maximum purity and sanctity.
So, on Yom Kippur, the average person dealt with refraining from lower things. As far as positive steps, it was the nation’s highest spiritual representative who was active. The question then is: what positive activity was the average Jew involved in on this holy day? How did the unique spiritual atmosphere find expression?
In our days, the order of events that used to be followed in the Beit Hamikdash becomes a focal point of our davening, especially in the repetition of Musaf. Indeed, our prayers take up the majority of our day, but they are primarily post-Beit Hamikdash liturgy. What did our forefathers do?
Let me suggest an idea, which also has practical ramifications in our days. Chazal tell us that Tu B’Av and Yom Kippur were special days in Israel, in that the girls went out in borrowed white garments in order to not embarrass anyone (Taanit 26b). White garments, which we (including men) wear on Yom Kippur nowadays as well, hint at the involvement in societal matters, with a focus on not embarrassing others. In other words, people were called upon to put a strong focus on the mitzvot between man and his fellow man within the framework of this spiritual day. Yom Kippur is obviously not a holiday which includes the element of "there is no happiness without meat and wine" (see Pesachim 109a), but it is one which our forefathers used to improve society. Asking forgiveness and rectifying wrongdoings, not only physical ones but also oral and indirect ones, like the embarrassment of girls of lesser means, were the mitzvot of the day.
So, let me propose, ladies and gentlemen, that even though intense davening is a mainstay of our Yom Kippur, every community should dedicate a part of the day (including the break between tefillot) to activity to improve society. Let us remember that without individual and communal improvement of society, Yom Kippur cannot bring the desired atonement!
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.
