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Beit Midrash
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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Yaakov Ben Behora
As a matter of fact, however, it is precisely because God loves us so that He has given us the Torah and its commandments, as we say in our prayers, "You reveal an endless love for us; You have taught us Torah and commandments, laws and justice." And, in the words of the Sages, "The Almighty desired to benefit Israel, and He therefore gave them many laws and commandments, as it is written, 'The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the Torah and make it glorious' (Isaiah 42:21)."
When a person's faith is weak, or when one lacks faith entirely, the commandments appear unbearable. To what may this be likened? To a person who has no sense of aesthetic value, no sensitivity to beauty or grace. Such a person could enter a beautifully adorned house, into which much thought and expense has been invested, and feel nothing. One who does not understand such things asks himself, "What is all this for? All this ornamentation just takes up space, every place you walk you run the risk of knocking over some valuable vessel. One cannot walk freely here. Why spend so much energy trying to protect all of these objects?"
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
38 - 38. “Israel, Through Whom I Will Be glorified”
39 - 39. The Commandments - A Beloved Burden
40 - 40. Reward and Punishment
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To one who lacks faith, it appears as if the many commandments which have bearing upon virtually every aspect of a Jew's daily activity, from the morning until the nighttime, day after day, every day of the week, throughout the year, restrict and weigh the Jew down. To such a person, orthodox Jews appear to have bound themselves up with iron chains: they are not permitted to eat as they please or to enjoy themselves freely. The Sabbath restricts them, there is no freedom, there is no natural living. This is how it appears to the irreligious.
However, when faith shines forth brightly, filling the heart, the "burden" of the commandments looks entirely different. The precepts are not a burden but a privilege. The commandments are beautiful ornaments, and it is a delight to decorate with them. The commandments truly fill one's entire life, and this is what is so great about them. All aspects of life are illuminated through the light of the Torah. One's entire life is elevated to a new level, invested with a Divine quality. The Torah is indeed "perfect, reviving the soul," the commandments "enlighten the eyes," "God's statutes are right, rejoicing the heart" (Psalms 19:8), for, indeed, God's intention was to benefit Israel, and He therefore gave them many laws and commandments.
If a person were permitted to enter a room full of valuable jewels and pearls and take whatever he could carry, the load which he would haul away would not be a burden to him. To the contrary, he would be happy to take more if he only could. Thus, King David writes, "I rejoice at Your word, like one who finds great booty" (Psalm 119:162).
In order to truly understand the ways of religious Jews one must try to see things through their eyes. Once a person succeeds in doing this he can grasp the greatness of a life of Torah and commandments.
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.
