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The complexx interplay between Man’s ability to act with B’Chira Chofsheit - free choice, and the influence of Hashgacha Pratit – Divine supervision, is one of the thorniest theological issues of all time. They would seem, on the surface, to be contradictory: If G-d ultimately decides, then what role does Man play? And if we can act, while Hashem "sits on the sidelines," then when is G-d’s power ever activated?
In this week’s Sedra, Avraham sends his servant Eliezer to find a proper mate for Yitzchak. Eliezer prays to G-d that his mission will be successful (his very name means "May the Lord help me!") but deep down, say Chazal, Eliezer has a bit of a different agenda. You see, he
himself had a daughter that he would love to fix up with Yitzchak, who will inherit Avraham’s wealth and pedigree.
And so, while he does indeed set out to find a match for Yitzchak, Eliezer sets some very tough conditions: "That girl, who is Yitzchak’s intended, must not only give me water to drink, but must also water my camels." This kind of conditional set-up flies in the face of the Biblical warning, "Lo T’Nasu et Hashem Elokecha" – you shall not test G-d. And yet, Hashem, as it were, suspends His own ruling and allows Eliezer’s condition to be met by Rivka, so that Yitzchak will indeed end up marrying her and continuing Jewish history.
And then there is Lavan. Despite his pure-sounding name, he is a dark and devious character. He is swayed by the largesse given by Eliezer to Rivka, and lusts for a chunk of Avraham’s wealth. He tries to persuade Rivka to stay on in his home, but she will have none of it. He then gives her a bracha – amazingly, the very same one we still give to brides at their wedding: "May you, our sister, give rise to tens of thousands…." Say Chazal: Lavan, too, had an ulterior motive for bestowing this flowery blessing; there is a tradition that the children will resemble their mother’s older brother!
Later, Lavan will try to swindle his nephew Yakov out of his wife Rachel, but here, too, he will be denied. Yakov is meant, on a mystical level, to produce the 12 Tribes from more than one wife, and so, despite his actions, Lavan becomes a "messenger" of Hashem in order to carry out His plan for history and the perpetuation of Am Yisrael.
All too often, we look at events – some of them of our own choosing - and wonder where will they lead? Did we choose the wrong path? Is there a way out of this mess? No doubt that there will be consequences for our choices. But as we said, at the end of the day, Hashem will have his way.
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.
