YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Rav Kook books
- Ein Aya
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.]
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
fast navigation
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.
