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Beit Midrash
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- Ein Ayah
Gemara: Rava said to his attendant: You, who do not know how to determine the times of the Rabbis, should light the Shabbat candles once the sun is at the top of the palm trees. What does one do on a cloudy day? In a city, see a rooster; in a field, see a raven, or see an adani (a plant that follows the sun, like a sunflower).
Simple Solutions for Simple People
Ein Aya Shabbat Chapter B Paragraph 298
Ein Ayah: In all areas of life, the Creator prepared all "measures" that are needed for existence and for spiritual and material sustenance, according to the situation. When someone’s situation is elevated, he will merit more precise parameters with which to reach true matters of which he is in need.
One who lacks the intellectual ability to reach the depths of this level of truth still has broad access to more accessible ways of determining what he needs. These systems suffice, even though they are not as precise as those of the more talented. The most basic light of truth is open to see for all with eyes. This is the significance of the sign that Rava gave for those who do not know the exact halachic end of the day: when the sun is at the height of the top of the date trees, light the candles. "I did not speak the matter from the beginning in a concealed manner" (based on Yeshaya 48:16) – there is not a need for deep and complex calculations.
Good Tendencies in Nature
Ein Aya Shabbat Chapter B Paragraph 299
Ein Ayah: Sometimes even things that should be revealed are concealed from the view of the eyes. In such cases, there are things within nature that can help the sincere person to be saved from mistakes that he might otherwise make in the dark. These use the tendency of good people to be drawn to things that can be learned from positive elements of nature.
The rooster is a kosher animal which has a unique manner of distinguishing between such basic things in nature as day and night. The raven (a non-kosher animal) makes a positive contribution within less than sympathetic surroundings. One can learn much from the abilities of the impure in nature and use this knowledge as an impetus for the pure within nature to function to their fullest.
From the adani we learn that there is a strong tendency within nature to lean toward the sun. This is parallel to the strong thirst within the hearts of Israel based on their nature toward the "sun of Torah" and good actions. This continues unless one removes the purity from within him. This tendency leads the person unless there is some other idea that pulls him in another direction. "The purity of the straight shall lead them" (Mishlei 11:3). "Hashem will be your advisor; guard your legs from being trapped" (ibid. 3:26). "He will lead the humble in justice, and teach sinners along the way. All the ways of Hashem are kindness and truth for those who guard His covenant and His statutes" (Tehillim 25:8-10).
We started with the project of translating and presenting much of Ein Ayah some eight and a half years ago. With this week’s installment, we have completed, with Hashem’s help, the third of the four volumes of Ein Ayah.
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.
