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Beit Midrash
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- Ein Aya
Ein Ayah: We should always seek the natural foundation, whether in the physical or the spiritual realm. Since Hashem made man upright (Kohelet 7:29), all good attributes are engraved in him from his creation. The moral loss that comes due to bad inclinations is something that takes away a person’s nature from its pure state. Therefore the foundation of every good and moral thing, which is belief, is engrained in a person’s "upright nature." Those things that battle emuna (belief) use an arsenal of lust and corruption to uproot a person from his natural spirituality, which would bring him tranquility and happiness in this world and hope for the world to come.
When the world was created and before it was corrupted by man’s evil inclination, agricultural life was the basis of everyone’s sustenance. After all, man was not allowed to eat meat, but rather he ate fruits and vegetables. Thus, agriculture is the foundation of that which sustained the world. After the fall of mankind, the Torah’s job is to return him, as much as possible, to the world in its proper state. There are many things that, when done properly according to the deep design of the Torah that the omniscient Creator gave us, restore some element of the world to its proper place. This is why, in Hashem’s laws that relate to matters of agriculture, there is a direct connection to the fundamentalemuna.
The Torah’s approach to agriculture is a natural foundation that eternally keeps the human race connected to its pure nature, as thegemara (Yevamot 63a) says that in the future days, people of all professions will "stand on the ground." Just as this is true regarding those who work, so it is true in regard to Torah study. The study of Zeraim strengthens a person’s natural spiritual purity, which is his power of emuna. This is why "emunat" refers to Zeraim. It is indeed fitting that the power of emuna should inculcate all of one’s good acquisitions that come from his intense studies, which elucidate the concepts. That is why emunat is written in the possessive (the belief of …) because it is to be connected to all the lofty acquisitions, and they in turn relate to the belief.
It is true that in the natural way the world is run, there is a certain lack of involvement of artificial factors. There is another element of life that has more outside elements, which add to its richness of shades, but this comes at the price of loss of clarity and freshness. In order to deal with this, the divine way, which is holy and trustworthy, is to give different elements their own time in the course of the year. Shabbat and the various holidays were all set according to divine rules in connection with holy events and ideas. They enrich the consistent natural element of the world with its own beautiful natural simplicity.
In this way, there is an intersection between a life of purity and belief, with its healthiness and purity, along with the richness and variety of the impact of various other factors, which come in at the right time with their unique sanctity. This is why the holidays are called "mikraei kodesh (holy convocations)," which Hashem refers to as "My times" (see Vayikra 23:2). We get the full impact of these times only if we study them, whether their specific laws or their general philosophies, which are interconnected. That is why "your times" refers to the Order of Mo’ed.
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
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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.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
