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Ein Ayah: Sometimes an individual from the nations of the world who investigates the divine and has great intellect will be inspired to enter our religion because he recognizes the honor and sanctity of Hashem. Such a person will not trust anyone in regard to belief but will approach sanctity with an independent, internal recognition. Someone whose intellect is so great that his internal recognition will bring him to separate himself from foreign concepts and embrace the service and love of Hashem will also understand that the laws of G-d cannot be given to each person to interpret as he desires. Rather, there must be certain things that are accepted by all co-religionists. It will also make sense to him that those things that have been forgotten or about which there is no consensus because they concern new developments should be decided by a central authority of experts in a place chosen by Hashem. In that context, clear decisions will emerge to properly address every detail necessary on practical grounds.
In contrast, one whose intellectual powers are weak and whose attraction to the sanctity of the divine law is based only on great people who are connected to the Torah, will have a weak philosophical foundation. This will not enable him to reach a high level of belief in the Written and the Oral Laws. He will only be attracted by its glow and want to know more about it. He will not be able to comprehend why full dedication to the fulfillment of an extensive and detailed set of laws is required to attain the religion’s general goals.
The non-Jew who approached Shammai had all of the problems we alluded to. Regarding the Written Law, he did not say that he independently believed in it, but that he believed Shammai, due to his fame as a great, wise person who believed in the Torah. Such a basis is insufficient to volunteer to enter the ranks of Hashem’s nation.
That led to the fact that he did not even believe Shammai when it came to the Oral Law. That is because external belief will only take a person part of the way, and even if a person has a strong attraction, it is limited. Only one who is drawn to the Torah because he recognizes Hashem correctly will have an endless attraction, in line with the pasuk: "Draw me to You, I will run after You. The King brought me into His inner chambers. We will rejoice and be happy with You" (Shir Hashirim 1:4).
With the non-Jew’s weak recognition, his goals were also weak, and he did not desire that the Torah would impact on everything in his lifestyle. Rather, he was just interested in knowing the basics of that which he saw as lofty, holy, and divine. For that he realized that he would have to convert and was interested in doing so. He understood that deep things that are the domain of a special nation cannot be given over to someone who is unwilling to be part of the nation. Even someone of a simple level can understand that he has to rely on others for such an attainment.
Because of the low level of this conversion candidate, who came with a somewhat brazen approach, he deserved, on a certain level, the triple distancing from his desire, which Shammai did to him. He was scolded for lowering the Torah to being believable only because of the greatness of Shammai. He was sent away because he rejected the Oral Law, which could have a negative impact on others. He was shown anger because he wanted a conversion that would not go beyond the Written Law.
[In subsequent pieces, Rav Kook explains Hillel’s decision to accept the candidate.]
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
