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Ein Ayah: [The reason for Shammai’s reaction should be obvious after what we have seen in the past. This piece focuses on Hillel.]
Admittedly, the chance occurrence of awakening to an interest in something good does not prove that a person has a strong affinity for good. However, Divine Providence assures that nothing is by chance, and thus certain occurrences deserve investigation. This is pertinent to the fact this non-Jew passed by a beit knesset when the Kohen Gadol’sclothes were being discussed and that this inspired him to want to convert. This is significant even if he mistakenly thought he could be aKohen Gadol. If he did not have a major inclination toward goodness and truth, the opportunity would not have arisen.
The candidate was not lacking honor as a non-Jew but was interested in an honor that stems from the service of Hashem. This was a sign that the kernel of love of Hashem was in his heart, even if impurities due to lack of education were mixed in. Therefore, Hillel felt obligated to not push him off but to purify his excitement about service of Hashem. His interest was genuine, even though he was used to external flashiness and was unable to settle initially on a simple form of service without attractive aesthetic elements. When he found out that service of Hashem could go together with glory, he jumped at the opportunity to accept service in a manner of adornment. The need for the latter lasted only until he internalized the ways of Torah with its ethical beauty, which in a simple way, contain true grandeur (see Berachot 58a).
The matter of setting aside kehuna for specific people can be explained by saying that it requires exceptional emotion that goes along with the action-based service of Hashem. In other words, it is possible that the actions of sacrifices can be missing the desired elevated emotions that one should have in his heart. One might, then, think that if one reached the level at which his heart is full of elevated emotion and can perform the actions of service with the proper sanctity and grandeur, he can serve as a kohen.
However, it is insufficient to have the type of emotion that a person can reach by choice. Rather, he needs a quality whose origin is determined by Hashem that enables the sacrifices to increase the honor of the Heaven in the desired way and connects man’s actions to the sanctity of Hashem.
The deep connection to the mitzvot applies both to that which one is supposed to do and that which one is to refrain from. That which one refrains from is not only because it is not fit but also because there is a value in holding back from things one otherwise might have done. For example, even if one is on the emotional level of a King David, the pleasant psalmist of Israel, he must not serve as a kohen. Even though, on a certain level, he could do the service effectively, we disallow it due to the gain from refraining from allowing everyone to do so. Only with both positive and refraining from negative can there be requisite purity and sanctity.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
