YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Rav Kook books
- Ein Aya
Ein Ayah: All of the pleasant things that are of value in a person’s life, especially in bringing him to the ways of Torah, can be attractive to a person when he reaches this desired purity of his heart and spirit. As lofty as that state is, when his Torah becomes one with his flesh and blood and he becomes a symbol of honor and "his heart and flesh will sing praise to the living G-d" (based on Tehillim 84:3), there is still danger.
If he is drawn in by that which is truly pleasant in the world, such as sanctity, purity, and uprightness, based on his feelings and instinct, his connection to these things is limited and subject to change. After all, every man has falsehood in him (see Tehillim 116:11). The greatest ideas are only as great to a person as his own level at a given time. They are just a sign that there are great ideas that emerge from the light of truth shining on the pure spirit that is sanctified from its impurity and follows the divine with simple truth and great wisdom. It is not wise to trust a human’s small heart to make it the storehouse for such great things.
Not only do man’s perceptions change, but even the loftiest perceptions he is capable of are not authentic. Therefore, the greatest and safest approach is that man’s perception should be put in line with the absolute divine perception – with the divine knowledge and dominion that transcends all boundaries and human thoughts.
This is the foundation of fear of Hashem, which also emerges from love of Him. Love is built on the elements of the divine that we can observe and appreciate, although it extends from that point to boundless loftiness. Fear of Hashem is based on the recognition that one must negate that which is improper. This is related to the foundation of truth that is responsible for the value of every desirable thing, whether practical or philosophical, which is at the depth and height of godliness and the power of the infinite. This is a storehouse of life, and all that is stored there is unchanging.
The changes in a person’s feelings can help him picture different concepts of goodness and sanctity in a way that extends beyond normal bounds. Therefore, even after one has uncovered broad truths through the study of Torah as described by the pasuk that the gemara analyzes, it is not his internal feelings and perceptions that are critical. Rather, the storehouse is fear of Hashem. It is the fear that comes with the recognition that goodness and truth lie together with the source of goodness and truth. It is only along with a fear of purity that one can approach the great acquisitions that are stored in the treasure houses. These last eternally, and their great power influences all the good that they are supposed to eternally supply the individual and the collective.
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
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.