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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
(condensed from Ein Ayah, Shabbat 2:267)
Gemara: [Rabbi Shimon and his son left the beit midrash] and hid in a cave. A miracle occurred and a carob tree and a wellspring were created. They removed their clothes and would sit up to their necks in sand. All day they would learn.
Ein Ayah: When Rabbi Shimon and his son reached the peak of intellectual elevation, the environment of the beit midrash was no longer able to absorb the great glow of their research and their lofty thoughts. That is when Hashem arranged matters so that all of society would be distanced from them, for they had far surpassed everyone else.
That is why they hid in a cave, a place where the multitude of living people, with all of their imaginations, could not approach them and disturb their lofty scholarship. At this point, Rabbi Shimon and his son lacked even the slightest need to be connected to social life, whose members had no chance of reaching the bar of their ultra-demanding moral and intellectual standards.
This is the reason that their food came specifically by means of miracle. They were supported from a carob tree, as it is a sign of a society where people have loving concern for others, as one who plants a carob tree does not usually live long enough to enjoy its fruit. Rather, he plants for future generations, as previous generations did for him. Therefore, this is most appropriate for the great intellect of geniuses of the generation, who connect to the greatest benefits of all time, the intellectual treasures that are passed from generation to generation.
The wellspring of water came to them from nature itself by means of a miraculous divine act. It is the most pure of elements, unrelated to any human intervention, which could contaminate it in any way with materialistic tendencies. Even remnants of society, such as clothes, could not fit their present intellectual heights and visions of life, in which they left the lowliness of the present behind them. That is why they removed their clothes and sat in sand up to their necks.
Prayer – A Time to Connect to Society
(condensed from Ein Ayah, Shabbat 2:268)
Gemara: When Rabbi Shimon and his son prayed, they wore their clothes and prayed and then removed their clothes again so that they would not get worn out.
Ein Ayah: Prayer is related to emotions, and, therefore, it has a connection to social life. Therefore, specifically at the time of prayer did Rabbi Shimon and his son allow themselves to use something that was man-made. This required something connected to human interaction, as imperfect as that is, as during prayer it is necessary to address the needs of the present.
In truth, one can be on the highest level and still find advantage in social life, and this can fit in with the highest and holiest intellectual level. There were times that even after prayer, Rabbi Shimon and his son remained in a situation that they could have remained connected to society. This was as long as the light of divine emotion that is related to the intellect reached the highest possible level, so that it properly connected to all elements of life. However, they reserved this rare state for the times that it was most needed, which was the time of prayer. At that time, it was easier to preserve the connection between the intellect, emotion, and society because that was their focus at the time of prayer.
Therefore, on a regular basis, they would remove their clothes (i.e., their connection to society), so that they not get worn out. At the time of their learning, when they had no natural need to be connected to society, it would have been difficult for them to preserve this connection.
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
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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.
