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Ein Ayah: The foundation of all the moral ideas depends on the manner in which one looks at life – with a positive or a negative eye. It is possible for life as it is to find favor in the eyes of the beholder, from a physical and a spiritual perspective. If so, the person’s moral approach and his sympathetic way of acting toward society will impact his philosophy. If, in contrast, one looks at life in his times with a harsh, critical eye, then he will find that his internal moral approach is full of antagonism to society. Such a person will go about trying to improve matters with anger and by discrediting existing structures.
Therefore, the contradiction in Kohelet illustrates an extreme contrast in the correct approach to one’s desired internal emotions. It is worthwhile to take a look at life and determine whether there are more good and enjoyable things or more bad and saddening things. This exercise can be done in two realms: the ongoing and the occasional/unusual situations.
There are times that the problems that arise on an ongoing basis take away the positive aura from life, but one can still have special times and circumstances that make those elements of life special and justify happiness. It is also possible to have the opposite scenario: generally, life brings satisfaction, but there are times in which wisdom declares that the bad and bitter justify one being sad or angry. The contradictions in Kohelet are in regard to these fundamental points.
It is not possible for a person to be in a state of laughter on a consistent basis. Rather, it can come when one is exposed to something that is unusually gratifying. Similarly, it is not natural for one to be angry on a consistent basis. Rather, one is liable to become angry when certain particularly upsetting things which conflict with his internal desires occur. That is the reason that anger and laughter are the parallel and opposite possible reactions to extraordinary situations.
Happiness is something which can and should be in one’s emotional makeup on an ongoing basis. Therefore, whether it exists or is missing depends on how one should view the situation that existsnormally. How great is the contradiction in Kohelet about these two elements of outlook on life. One is whether wisdom dictates that life contains more, qualitatively and quantitatively, upsetting moments that warrant anger or more positive and uplifting moments, which dictate laughter. On this point, there are apparently contradictory p’sukim. Similarly, we have a pasuk that says that happiness in the face of the normal flow of life is correct and another pasuk that indicates that there is not enough good on an ongoing basis to justify a consistent state of happiness.
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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.
