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Was the approach of Shlomo’s father, David, the same as his son’s? The navi Shmuel (II,5) describes the conquer of Yevus and its transition into the eternal Israelite capital of Yerushalayim. We are told that David turned a fortress known as Metzudat David into his home and built around it, extending the city and building a wall around it (ibid. 7-10). The wall encompassed both the City of David and the Temple Mount, upon which the Beit Hamikdash would be built, and, in between, he left an area called the Milo for sleeping quarters for pilgrims to the Beit Hamikdash. David’s palace was built in the City of David, and, apparently, parts of it have been uncovered in excavations at that site.
In so doing, David sent two messages. The Beit Hamikdash was to be built in a higher place than his palace. This idea is the basis of a halacha that a shul should be built on the highest spot in a town or neighborhood (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 150:2). If it is not the highest spot, then the shul should be built tall enough so that some part of it is the highest. If this is not done, there may be severe consequences for the inhabitants (see Aruch Hashulchan, Orach Chayim 150:3).
The second message is that while the palace was somewhat close to the Beit Hamikdash, it was not right next to it. Making it too close would cause a blurring of distinctions between holy and mundane, indicating that one does not need to distinguish between the two.
Shlomo thought that he had already fixed the world in the ways of Hashem and that the End of Days had come. This is a situation that Kabbalists call "the moon in its completeness." That is why he built a new palace, which is apparently in the area which is now known as Al Aqsa, adjacent to the Beit Hamikdash. Because not all the kings of Judea behaved as they should, this proximity became the source of great criticism as we mentioned before.
We should follow the lead of David Hamelech. We reject the divorcing of the holy from the mundane, but, on the other hand, we reject the blurring of distinctions that exist between them. We also should be careful to remember that the concerns of the sacred have precedence over those of the mundane, to the extent possible.
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.
