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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.
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.
