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Beit Midrash
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But let me share another insight with you.
The Gemara in Chulin (139) asks: "Where is Haman found in the Torah?" Now, on the surface, this question may seem frivolous, since Haman lived long after the Torah was given. But we believe that ALL knowledge and events - before AND after Har Sinai - are found in the Torah. So the Talmud answers: "Haman is found in the pasuk (BR 3:11): Ha-min Ha-etz asher tziviticha l’vilti achal mimenu achalta? Have you eaten from the tree whereof I commanded you not to eat?!"
Now, while it is true that the letters of Haman’s name (Hey-Mem-Nun) do indeed form the word Ha-min, those same letters can form other words, too – like "Ha-Mahn," the Manna we ate in the desert. So why do the Sages choose this specific reference? What does the Gemara teach us here? Can there really be a connection between Adam in Gan Eden and Haman?! Yes, there can be!
You see, Adam was given free reign over the Garden of Eden; he didn’t have to work, he conversed with the animals, he lived (albeit for a short time only) a truly pristine existence. He had just one single rule to abide by –
one rule! – to abstain from eating from the Etz Ha-Da’at, the Tree of Knowledge. And he just couldn’t do it.
Haman, too, lived in a kind of Paradise-world. He was rich beyond measure; he had enormous political power; he considered himself a demi-god, and so everywhere he went, people would bow to him deference. Except, that is, for one brave Jew. For a variety of reasons given by the commentators, Mordechai refused to bow, and Haman was powerless to force him to do so. And so, because of this one little bump in his massive ego-trip, Haman decided to wipe out all the Jews, sealing his own fate in the process.
All of us have a great deal of control in our lives. We can decide where to live, what foods to eat, what shul to pray in, with whom we care to associate, etc. But - we are not G-d. At the end of the day, He is the One in control. To bring that point home, He creates points of restraint that we must abide by, and sends our way many scenarios where we don’t get our way. We don’t - and won’t - always have the last word, unless it’s Hashem Hu Ha-Elokim.
Adam and Haman both fell from grace because of a tree. To prevent that from happening to us, we must cling to the most important tree of all, the Torah, the "Etz Chaim Hi" of life.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.