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How do we relate to these malachim? Rishonim already struggled with the matter, with a wide gap between the extremes of the gamut of opinions. According to some, whenever a malach is mentioned in Tanach, it is a spiritual creature, without a body, and possessing supernatural powers. So, for example, Rashi (ibid.) describes how malachim transferred sheep from Lavan’s flock to Yaakov’s in order to foil Lavan’s plan to cheat him. According to this approach, even when the Torah mentions an "ish" it could very well be referring to an angel, as the "ish" who directed Yosef to the fateful meeting with his brothers was the angel, Gavriel. Another approach, among whose proponents are the Rambam and Ibn Ezra, limits or eliminates the appearance of such heavenly creatures in physical interaction with mankind. The Rambam interprets some apparent interactions, like the three visitors in the beginning of Parashat Vayeira, as a prophetic dream. The Ibn Ezra interprets many mentions of "malach" as a messenger, whether it is a human (like those whom Yaakov sent to Eisav), or a force of nature (as in Tehillim 104:4).
In the haftara (according to some minhagim) we read the navi, Hoshea’s, account of Yaakov. "In the womb he grabbed his brother’s heel, and with his strength he struggled with [an angel of] Hashem. He struggled with an angel and was successful; he cried and begged him; he will find us in Beit El, and there he will speak with us" (Hoshea 12:4-5). Mention of the crying and the malach hint at a pasuk earlier in Tanach. "The malach of Hashem came up from Gilgal to the Bochim (named after the crying that took place there)" (Shoftim 2:1). There the navi tells how a malach exhorted Bnei Yisrael to stay away from dangerous influences. Who is this malach, and what is the context of his appearance?
As Hoshea connects between crying and Beit El, it is worthwhile to look a few p’sukim earlier: "The House of Yosef also went up to Beit El, and Hashem was with them" (ibid. 1:22). Beit El was the spiritual center of the time, and therefore it makes a lot of sense that the malach would address Bnei Yisrael there. Who was the malach? Chazal (Vayikra Rabba 1:1) tell us that it was Pinchas and that when he prophesied, his face shone like a torch, resembling a malach. Pinchas, also identified as Eliyahu, malach habrit, can fit in to the same machloket we started with. Do we look at him as a malach, with supernatural powers and longevity, or as a person who will die?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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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.
