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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: There are three ways to solve a doubt: kabbala (tradition), mechkar (investigation or analysis), and nisayon (experience or experimentation). In a case in which nisayon cannot clarify the matter, mechkar can come to help and spread beams of light in the matter, either close or far, as appropriate for the specific topic. In a case in which mechkar also cannot bring us to our desired destination, a reliable tradition will appear for those who deserve the answer and will give them the happiness of uncovering that which is hidden.
However, Heaven forbid for us to use hidden powers when we have the ability to uncover the information with "revealed" means. Therefore, we will not try to investigate the matter through philosophical investigation when there is a way of clarifying it through a simple factual check. We learn as well that one should not desist from investigating that which we are capable of investigating. Very often when Hashem gives us the ability to arrive at an attainment by one means, he does not enable reaching that goal with another means.
The questions that we have about matters of Torah are very important, both in regard to the knowledge that we seek and in regard to the fact that it makes us toil hard to answer the questions. Therefore, we should be careful not to think that since the search for answers itself has value, there is no reason to look for easy answers such as with nisayon but we should anyway concentrate on the hard work of logical analysis. This is one side of the argument. Others might say that since the idea of belief in the words of the sages is important, we should prefer that the answer come through tradition.
Neither of these approaches is correct. Actually, only when we do not have access to truth through nisayon is it fruitful to work hard to look for an answer "from far away." Then we will know that the toil is important and that there must be a divine secret for why this toil was saved for a certain person at a certain time in history. However, when there is a more direct way, it is not a case where Hashem gave inspiration from the process of using logic to try to solve the problem, as the person is just being too lazy to check the matter directly. Then, if someone will try to use mechkar to decide the matter, he will not succeed, and any intellectual "branches" of the process will not be "planted on the waters of the true Torah." Since the mind is always working, it is not good to delay the matter, but one should clarify it as appropriate.
In our case, nisayon dictates that a sefer Torah should be brought in order to count and one should not say that there is no time now for such a tedious job but that in the meantime one should decide based on mechkar. That is why it says that they did not move from there before they checked. This shows the beloved status that brought about the technical clarification, so that no one should over-intellectualize on matters that are not meant for such a decision. "The sayings of Hashem are pure sayings …" (Tehillim, 12:7).
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.
