YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: Murder creates double damage. First, it is responsible for the most horrible destruction to the community of people in regard to their ability to survive physically. However, worse than that is the moral destruction it causes. It engenders such destruction of the human spirit, which was created in Hashem’s image, Who is good and does good, Who gives life to the living in His goodness. When one takes another’s life, he is going in the opposite direction, by taking away life from one who could have performed the service of life in the world.
The Beit Hamikdash is designed not just to impact on the Jewish people alone. Shlomo said explicitly: "Also for the foreigner who is not from Your nation, Israel …" The idea is that the light of Hashem and His goodness should spread throughout the world. When can Hashem’s light and goodness spread among many nations, in a manner that improves the situation of human society? It is only when Israel’s moral level is at its highest.
When Israel allows itself to reach the lowest level, at which murders take place, how far can the Beit Hamikdash bring the world? What will the nations learn when they see that the light still did not penetrate into its natural place (within Israel) to illuminate the dark recesses of society and remove the greatest affliction, of people harming each other to the point of taking life? Under these circumstances, the Beit Hamikdash is destroyed.
Bnei Yisrael’s internal status is such that it contains power greater than the actual consequences it brings about by its actions. It is not enough for life to exist if it does not maximize its impact. What is the purpose of life if it is lowly and lacks lofty goals? It is not enough for society to just not self-destruct. Israel has a hidden sanctity dedicated to raising the value of life, which is facilitated by the dwelling of the Divine Presence among them. The national soul of the Community of Israel strives for the best and loftiest and to function in the world according to divine values. When they are successful and people see their splendor, pleasantness and dignity, no one will be able to ask what the point of life is. The House of Israel will be complete internally and will send forth rays of light to the world and its nations (see Yeshaya 42:6).
This lofty internal state is possible only when society as a whole is humane and stable. However, when the Beit Hamikdash is destroyed because the external, societal situation makes its intended function impossible, how can the soul of the nation as a whole reach its special spiritual height? Therefore, the Divine Presence leaves Israel. Bnei Yisrael’s living in Eretz Yisrael depends greatly on their national actions. It is true that much can be learned from individuals (see ibid. 61:9). However, the lessons are much more profound when they come from the community, when it acts in a complete manner with a secure kingdom in its Land. Therefore, when the Beit Hamikdash is missing, because the ability to impact others fails, it also causes the nation to be sent away from its Land. This is what happens when the Land is defiled and the people and the Divine Presence leave.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
