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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: Everyone has a preparatory track ready for the shleimut(completeness) that is destined for him and has everything that he needs to reach his highest potential. The shortcomings that are liable to undo the spirit and cause it to look for that which it desires are also planted in the nature of the spirit in a way that negatively parallels the potential for spiritual advancement. There are some shortcomings that are found only in those who have the potential for certain types of advancement.
There are righteous people among the nations of the world who never convert and are happy with their level and more limited obligations. However, one who is prepared for the lofty level of enteringKlal Yisrael also has dangerous shortcomings ready for the possibility that he will not reach his potential and convert as he was designed to do. That is the reason that Shammai’s exacting nature not only did not allow the candidates to advance but also threatened to lower them beneath the level at which they started, as upstanding gentiles. As those with the potential and interest in conversion, missing out on the opportunity would have been very bad. They could have missed out on even levels that simple non-Jews, with no aspirations of conversion or any other great spiritual dreams, have. They could have dropped to the lowest levels of moral waste.
In contrast, Hillel’s humility not only saved them from deterioration but brought them to spiritual safety. This was not by means of simply remaining a fine non-Jew but by the eternal and lofty clinging to Hashem by joining His covenant.
When the three of them came to the same place and reflected on being pushed away by Shammai and being drawn close by Hillel, they came to a joint conclusion. They realized that there are two reasonable approaches, and one cannot say that there is no value in Shammai’s approach. Given the greatness of Shammai as a person and the fact that he had a consistent, thought-out policy, it must have had value. There must be cases for which the absolute demand for high standards is useful.
They did not say that Shammai pushed them toward deterioration or that Hillel drew them close but that their approaches did, for the focus was on the approach, as opposed to the person. Actually, to maintain that which has already been acquired by the individual and the nation, high standards and discipline contribute a lot to keeping away corruptive influences. However, in order to make new acquisitions, for the individual or the collective, or to return that which has been lost, including bringing in people from the world at large, one has to use theanvatanut of Hillel.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
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.
