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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.
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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.
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.
