YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: A person finds himself in a tight place between his various tendencies. It is difficult to find the exact balanced approach, and one does not succeed without first having failed. The mistake of greattzaddikim is to distance themselves too far from matters of physicality, to the point that they bring upon themselves afflictions of love such as this. This helps them clarify how they should be weighing each element and giving each power in life its full share.
That which is good for a tzaddik emerges from the "rebuke" he receives by means of this affliction, allowing him to hold on to the most exact line. However, he is likely to be concerned about the effect that the publicizing of his affliction will have on others, as they are likely to not understand the full significance of the affliction. People can think that the tzaddik’s affliction is also like that which affects average people, who get hadrokan because of sin and over-exposure to physicality. Then they will think that even the approach of the tzaddik, which seems significantly removed from physicality, is still not enough to make Hashem happy. This will give a distorted picture of proper ethics. It will also make people give up hope of ever succeeding in following the straight path, as they perceive that no one can succeed.
This is against one of the purposes of a tzaddik in setting his path, which is to improve the spiritual lot of others. When he sees that that which was subscribed for him to help further his moral standing will cause others to falter, he would prefer to give up his personal moral improvement on behalf of that of the broader community. This is the proper approach of one who is trustworthy to Hashem. Since Hashem does the desire of those who fear Him (based on Tehillim 145:19), Shmuel Hakatan was healed.
There is also a point to tzaddikim such as Abaye being punished for having an exaggerated approach to their service of Hashem. This can have the positive effect of convincing more normal people from attempting behavior of extreme piety, which should be designed for those who are especially great. Actually, only the more normally travelled path of Torah is fit for the masses, even as we should not cast aspersions on great people who go beyond that. That is why Rava made the statement that he knows that extreme asceticism is what caused Abaye’s problem. Abaye was able to suffer and overcome the problem, whereas common people should not, Heaven forbid, follow such an approach, which is improper for them.
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.
