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The Ramban (ad loc.) explains that Bnei Yisrael heard and believed the good news of their impending liberation. The shortcoming was that the news failed to change their spirit. The Ramban compares the "short breath" to a suffering, sick person who is given treatment that will heal him, but he still cannot bear to live in the pain he is experiencing. Thoughts of a rosy future have difficulty breaking through his present state of mind. The "hard work," he explains, does not allow a person "to hear something and think about it." What is the difference between the two elements that prevent a person from being comforted by the forecast of a brighter future?
The first element is emotional. Sometimes someone is understandably not in the mood to be encouraged. He cannot just "snap out" of his anguish at the drop of a hat even with the best of news. However, there is a second element of thought. If one has time to think about the prospects for the future, his mind can gradually impact on his mood. In this case, Bnei Yisrael did not have the opportunity to begin the slower, mind-based process of thinking about that which they were told.
But the question begs: if Bnei Yisrael could not appreciate what they were told, why tell them? Many answers can be given, but let us concentrate on one that applies to us. The promise of a brighter future was designed not only for its "audience" at the time but for Jews throughout history to read, recite, and cherish. When our nation was in some of the darkest, most hopeless of times, we could remind ourselves that geula might be around the corner. When our heart’s first response was to discount the hope because of the depths of despair, the Torah’s response was that there were other times when Bnei Yisrael found it difficult to hope, but the geula did come. Borrowing the Ramban’s comparison, it is like a robust survivor of a terrible disease visiting the ward of sufferers. That can be more comforting than a doctor’s favorable prognosis.
This message can be useful in our times, when we feel the real pain of a not yet complete geula within the context of a geula process that has already begun to unfold. Not only in the national realm, but also in the personal one, many of us experience understandable fear, frustration, and outright pain, whether physical or emotional in origin. We should take the time to allow the positive turn of events of these parashiyot to help raise our spirits.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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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.