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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: The goal of connecting Bnei Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael is that there should be one nation in the world upon whom Hashem, the G-d of the world, hovers, by His hand being revealed in them, their history, and the chain of their progeny. This nation should be the single source for humanity to draw knowledge of Hashem and His ways in the land. They must demonstrate the lesson that godliness can fill an entire nation so that divine ways will lead not just an individual’s private life. Rather, they must lead the affairs of nations and their interrelationships based on the deep ways of Hashem, which are full of kindness, justice, and charity. To meet this goal, it is crucial that the general divine "seal" be attached to the whole nation, which will impress upon it that it stands out among the nations in that it is the Nation of Hashem and that its land is the Land of Hashem.
However, things changed when Israel left its Protector. Although there remained individuals who fulfilled many of the mitzvot, the nation as a whole lost its seal. In that way, one could no longer recognize the Land as the Land of Hashem and the nation and kingdom as the Nation of Hashem, at a time when the people found for themselves personal interests like those of all the other nations, such as matters of power.
For that reason, Israel was exiled from its Land, so that they could wander in exile among many nations. While lacking any of its own national property, they will still find themselves as standing out and being separate from the nations. Then, they will know that they have something unique which gives them a special national identity, namely, that the Name of Hashem is called upon them.
Therefore, when Bnei Yisrael’s spirit improved in Bavel and their Jewish center was based solely on the sanctity of the Torah, this caused a flowering of Hashem’s interest in saving the nation and a return to their deepest recognition of their uniqueness. Only when this would progress sufficiently, would they be able to return to their base and to their Land and the full strength of national acquisitions. But this time is in essence the time for Hashem to redeem them in the fullest manner and gather the scattered nation from among the nations and return a descendant of David to the crown.
Regarding the individual who progressed to be fit to live with the sanctity of Eretz Yisrael, it is not for the individual that the exile was established but for the nation as a whole. Therefore, the power of the experience of exile should not be blurred by individuals who could cause the forgetting of the purpose of being in the Land, namely, as a nation with dominion in the Land which Hashem chose for their eternal portion.
The vessels of the Beit Hamikdash (which is the literal context of the pasuk about remaining in Bavel) have a purpose only when the Beit Hamidash is standing and operating. So too, individuals can contribute to show the spiritual strength of Israel in their Holy Land only when Hashem decides the time has come to bring them all together.
This is why Rav Yehuda opposed leaving Bavel, which had become the spiritual center of Judaism, which was appropriate for the nation at their level at that time, calling it the abrogation of a positive mitzva. He should wait there and wait for the nation to complete development until the point that they would be ready to make the proper impact in Eretz Yisrael together with all the national acquisitions that are needed for a well established nation.
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.
