YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Rav Kook books
- Ein Aya
Gemara: [We continue with the story of the non-Jew who wanted to convert but only believed in the Written Law and not the Oral Law and was rejected by Shammai. Hillel converted him and then took upon himself to teach the convert to accept the Oral Law.] The first day he taught him the letters aleph, bet, gimmel, dalet. The next day he switched the order. The convert asked: "That is not what you taught me yesterday!" Hillel said: "Isn’t it so that you trusted me? Trust me also regarding the Oral Law."
Ein Ayah: The main reason for those who try to destroy the holy covenant surrounding the Oral Law is that they are blind to the absolute dependence of the Written Law on the Oral Law. Since they do not realize its importance, they do not see the truth of its transmission to Bnei Yisrael. If someone realizes that it is impossible to not have an Oral Law, then he is not susceptible to the mistake of doubting it. It would be folly to leave behind the traditions passed on through our fathers to make up our own system of scholarship.
This is why Hillel impressed upon the convert the critical need for a reliable tradition from previous generations, which is accepted by the nation as a whole. If you do not accept the tradition regarding something as basic as the letters of the alphabet, no one will be able to read and approach the Written Law. With the need for such traditions, it must be that, in general, tradition is needed to know how to arrive at Torah rulings, and one must not question the foundation of Oral Law.
Since nature requires that there be a known tradition, whoever denies it, denies nature. There must be some sort of connection that links generations. Even those who initially denied the tradition found themselves with so many doubts until they were forced to eventually accept tradition. That is why we apply to them the pasuk, "They left the source of fresh water (i.e., the reliable tradition within the community of Bnei Yisrael) to quarry for themselves broken water pits (i.e., alternative traditions)" (see Yirmiya 2;13).
The comparison between the Oral Law and the alphabet is very appropriate. Whichever version of the names of the alphabet one would choose, one cannot learn how to read without being exposed to a tradition that teaches the rules. The originally presented tradition is the authentic one. Once a person understands this, he will understand that there is no real alternative. Hashem must have given the Written Law along with a tradition. A person will find within himself to accept it, as Hillel urged the convert to do.
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
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.
