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- Ein Aya
Ein Ayah: The fact that evil exists at all is certainly part of the whole picture of the existence of the world. Just as there is nothing in the world which is not based on human choice that is only bad, so too even the evil that man chooses to do is not only bad. Rather, in the whole scheme of the world, there is a need for there to be people who chose to do bad things just as there is obviously a need for people who choose good things. This is the meaning behind Chazal’s statement: "Just as the praise of Hashem emanates from the righteous so does it emanate from the wicked" (Shemot Rabba 7:4).
The big difference between the place of the righteous and the wicked is in the people’s own place within existence. The one who does good is fortunate enough to be among those on a high level. He who chooses to do evil is among the despised, as the pasuk says: "Woe is the wicked man, for he will have retribution for his actions taken against him" (Yeshaya 3:11). There will be a clear correlation between the standing of his actions and the treatment he receives.
There is a net that is spread out before one who falls into evil behavior. His good side is disappointed that he is not counted among the good people because of the evil he has already perpetrated. Everyone has a desire in his soul to do great things, a trait that Hashem created so that people will provide ever more kindness in the world. One who sees that he is anyway not going to be great in a positive manner may feel the call to follow his evil inclination and be great in a negative manner. He might be attracted to being a major sinner, so that he can have great influence in some way.
This approach is a destructive fire that has consumed some people with great talents who fell into the trap of evil. First they started with small sins, after which they reasoned that they were so far from the community of the righteous, that they might as well increase the scope of their activity in the area in which they find themselves, which is evil. They deteriorated and caused deterioration in others until the point that they came to think that there is no difference for he who is not righteous between doing a little evil and doing a lot of it. He figured that once he is prominent in his wickedness, he will never embrace anything noble but will continue to increase in evil.
In truth, one should never say that his place is now set with the wicked. The deeper he falls into the mud of evil the longer it will take him to drag himself out and the more painful a cleansing he will need to purify himself. He should also realize that increasing evil will only make him dirtier and will not turn him into some "great villain." There is no such thing! Rather he is like one who ate garlic and continues to eat garlic, who will have the same smell, just that it will become more pronounced. As far as what has to happen in the world, fortunate people merit taking part in good things, and those who are not deserving become involved in that which is unfortunate in the world. The greater the filth the more unfortunate the person is.
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.