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Beit Midrash
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When Hashem saved the Israelites and killed the Egyptians with great miracles at Yam Suf, the angels wanted to sing His praises. Hashem said to them: "The works of My Hand are drowning in the sea, and you are saying praises before Me?!" (Sanhedrin 39b). This is what Hashem said to the angels, whereas Bnei Yisrael were allowed and praised for singing to Hashem. What is the difference between them?
The standard answer is that Bnei Yisrael were directly involved in the miracle. However, that is not a complete answer. After all, Chazal tell us that the singing of Az Yashir was not just acceptable under the circumstances, but is that which set Hashem’s throne in this world (Shemot Rabba 23:1). What made Bnei Yisrael’s singing so appreciated?
There were two opposite and contrary worlds in creation before man was created: the world of atzilut, which was the realm of the angels, and the animalistic world of material, which we would call our world. When Hashem conferred with the angels before creating man, the angels protested: "What is man that you should consider him?" (Tehillim 8:5; Sanhedrin 38b). What bothered them was that man is comprised of the two opposites within his being. Why should there be such confusion and difficulty within one being?
In Hashem’s kindness, He gave man something of Him – not only by creating us in "His form" (Bereishit 1:27), however exactly we understand that, but by making us capable of performing creation (Sanhedrin 65b). This happens specifically because we come from both worlds and by acting in accordance with one or the other, we push in the direction of one of them. While the two elements can live separate from each other without confrontation, in man there is constant war between the worlds, one which sets a tone in the universe. When there is an increase in spirituality, there is also an increase in its opposition, as Chazal say: "the greater the person, the greater is his evil inclination" (Sukka 52a). If within man’s essence sanctity reigns, outside him there will be greater opposition containing impurity. Eventually the tension will lead to a conclusive struggle, as we will find the judgment at the Mountain of Eisav at the end of days (see Ovadia 1:21).
The angels cannot conquer the world of materialism because they do not have contact with it. Man can. Bnei Yisrael demonstrated self-sacrifice when they followed the instructions (Shemot 14:15) to march into the sea. It is true that the Egyptians followed them in, but that was not through the self-sacrifice that motivated Bnei Yisrael. The major step that Bnei Yisrael took was a choice of good over evil in a special historic manner, one which impacted the whole of history, and in that way set Hashem’s throne.
At that time, it was appropriate for man to sing about the miracle and its impact on history. This was one that was very human in its scope, not one that related to the world and the song of the angels.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
