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The navi tells us that Uziyah was, for the most part, a righteous king, like his father, Amatzya. Yet, we are told that he was afflicted with tzara’at that lasted until the end of his life (Melachim II, 15: 3-5), unlike Moshe and Miriam’s short-lived cases. What was the root of the tzara’at? To learn more, we have to look in Divrei Hayamim, as Tanach elaborates in one place on that which is cryptic in another place. Yoash, king of the northern kingdom of Israel, defeated Amatzya in Beit Shemesh, leaving him with a weak kingdom- militarily, financially, and internationally, which he inherited to his son (see Divrei Haymim II, 25: 23-24). The young king, Uziyah, decided to go about things differently. Instead of continuing the warfare with the rival Kingdom of Israel, he cooperated with Yerovam II and was thus able to expand the borders of Israel until Eilat in the south and Ashdod in the west. This opened ports in the Mediterranean and Red seas, enabling the country to control important land and water routes of international trade. The Scriptures write also of impressive advances in agriculture and in the production of military supplies (see ibid. 26).
What impressive advances by a wise, righteous and ambitious king! But all of his success collapsed on him for one reason. "As he became strong, his heart became haughty until it brought destruction, and he betrayed Hashem, his G-d, and entered the Sanctuary of Hashem to burn incense on the Altar of Incense ... and the tzara’at shone on his head" (ibid.: 16,19). In this way, Uziyah, who was basically righteous like his father, also failed for the same reason as his father. Indeed, the navi addressed Amatzya with the complaint, "your heart raised you up" to overconfidence and failure (ibid. 25:19).
So we see another root cause of tzara’at. It can remind a person that, as important as he may be and even if he channels his ambitions to ostensibly good causes, he must know his limits. As a human being, he is limited and must conform to Divine commandments and know his place. For this reason, the sacrifices that a leper brings at the conclusion of his period of leprosy include cedar wood (etz erez) and hyssop (eizov). The former, one of the tallest and most proud members of the plant world, is combined with the latter, which is one of the most lowly, to show the importance. This reminds the leper, as he returns to society, that he must temper his ambitions for greatness with the proper measure of humility.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
