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Beit Midrash
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- Ein Aya
Ein Ayah: People can make mistakes in judgment either because of intellectual shortcomings or due to problematic desires. Indeed many times people stray from the truth because their intellect confuses them. Some people diverge from the truth because their desires push them in the direction of mistake. In other words, if they adopt the mistake, they will be able to follow a path for which they have a desire. Instead of the decision remaining a matter of desire, it becomes entrenched in them as a matter of the intellect.
Mistakes of the first type (the intellectual) can be rectified by clarifying the matter based on intellect. Since the mistaken person only has a mistake of perception and he does not acquire the mistake as part of his nature, when he hears arguments that clarify the matter, he can leave behind his folly and embrace the truth.
The situation is very different for one whose departure from the truth is based on desires that have gone as far as to lead him on a path of lack of control and throwing off the yoke of Torah and ethics. Logical arguments will not have the desired effect on him because he will feel in his soul that if he embraces the path of truth that is contrary to his inclinations and wayward lifestyle to which he has become fully accustomed, he will turn out to be totally wrong.
The gemara gives these two paths to mistakes broad names that represent their dichotomy. The intellectual mistakes are called matters of Torah because the Torah’s purpose is to make one have the understanding of the ways of Hashem and His truths. It is true that mistakes of the intellect often cause one to stray in matters that are not under the heading of Torah per se. However, the basic foundation of the problem is under the category of Torah and decisions about ethics, belief, and wisdom.
The mistakes that are based on desires are called general matters because the inclinations that are likely to cause these desires are on matters that are connected to the body and not the intellect. It is true that eventually these desires affect and cause great damage in classic areas of Torah and the foundations of the holy religion. However, it is still called general matters because that is the root of the problem. Therefore, in these desire-based problems, the pasuk says to not answer the fool because it is not an intellectual mistake that he will fix when confronted with reason. Rather, it is something at the base of his evil heart that takes him to spiritually desolate places. Such fools can only be impacted by afflictions which subdue his haughty spirit (see Mishlei 19:29). These afflictions can remove the ashes of imagination from his eyes and let him see the corruption of his inclinations and the falsehood of his approach. For such people, speech is not worthwhile.
The above explains the difference between words of Torah and general matters.
Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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.
