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- Ein Aya
Ein Ayah: The person asking the question figured that after employing all the other matters of bad manners to upset Hillel, he would ask him about something that has no significance regarding practical value or ethics. He figured that it is impossible to find a reason to explain why a part of the body is different for some as opposed to others. In this case, there is reason to prefer to not have a round head, as aesthetically, something more chiseled is nicer (see Shir Hashirim 6:7, where a beautiful woman’s forehead is compared to a section of a pomegranate). What value could Hillel find in a round head? (Additionally, since Hillel came from Babylonia (see Pesachim 66a), the question could also be viewed as a personal insult.)
Just as a humble person looks for something positive to think about every person, so does he look for something of practical and/or ethical value in every subject that arises. A humble person is also happy to find a very simple answer for a question for which others might look for a "distant" idea employing a fancy calculation. A humble person will not overlook the "nearby" answer in favor of the distant one unless there is no answer in the proximity. Thus, humility causes not overlooking even the simple answer, while leaving the lofty ideas for cases in which they are called for. A haughty person is always looking for and contemplating distant ideas, including those which he will not be able to use in any significant way.
A humble person will also not lower his spirit to view a simple subject as one about which there is no value to ask. Considering the respect that he wants to give to his fellow person, he reasons that there must be elements to even an ostensibly simple question from which one can learn, thus turning giving the question significance. That is why Hillel said to the man asking him questions that his question was a great one. Indeed Hillel found an answer that teaches an ethical idea, involving Divine Providence.
A round head helps a baby be born more safely. Thus, by saying simply that Babylonians have round heads because they have a shortage of qualified midwives, one is able to learn about Hashem’s mercy and providence over mankind. Namely, for those societies that were too silly to ensure that they have proper medical care for their delivering mothers, Hashem provided help (i.e., round heads). Thus divine compassion compensates for medical laxness. The interesting ethical consequence is that if that society would be more careful to have better midwives, then Hashem could return their physical characteristic to that of having normally shaped heads, which is nicer aesthetically. There are many things one can learn from this approach from a perspective of belief, the importance of taking precautions, and the importance of having practical knowledge. It also shows how Hashem can solve problems that seem unmanageable.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
