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Hana Bat Haim
The gemara (Chulin 45a) gives two opinions on the final phrase, "I shall bless them." R. Yishmael starts with a question. Bnei Yisrael are blessed by the kohanim; who blesses the kohanim? Our pasuk, he interprets, answers the question: Hashem blesses the kohanim. R. Akiva asks a different question. The kohanim bless the people; but how do we know that Hashem blesses the people? To this, he brings the same pasuk, "I shall bless them." In other words, Hashem confirms the blessings that the kohanim try to confer on Bnei Yisrael. This leaves us with two parallel questions. According to R. Yishmael, who confirms the kohanim’s blessings? According to R. Akiva, who blesses the kohanim?
The gemara raises the latter question and says that the kohanim are covered by the rule that "I will bless those who bless you [Avraham’s offspring]" (Bereishit 12:3). The Iyun Yaakov (on the gemara) asks the former question and answers that after Hashem blesses the kohanim, they are worthy enough for their blessings to be sufficiently effective.
While R. Yishmael and R. Akiva explain the p’sukim differently, based on potentially different philosophical approaches, they share an important idea. What gives the kohanim their greatness and brings them blessing? It is the fact that they are involved in blessing the nation. In the eyes of R. Akiva, it is natural that one who blesses those who should be blessed are themselves blessed. The kohanim, who are involved in blessing on an ongoing, deep basis are profoundly elevated. It is the blessed who need to be helped by the further Divine blessing that the pasuk refers to. According to R. Yishmael, Hashem blesses the blessers so that they will not lose out on a beracha and so that their beracha will be fully effective. He agrees that the one who blesses receives a most profound, Divine blessing as part of the process.
It is not for us to decide who is right, R. Yishmael or R. Akiva, and each speaks a perspective of truth. The gemara (Nedarim 35b) tries to determine whether kohanim act as agents of Hashem or of Bnei Yisrael. This may be connected to the differing views. But clearly, the kohanim connect between the two, and the question is which side they start with. They thus have a special status, privileges and obligations. May all who help create a bridge between Hashem and His nation be blessed as a result, as the kohanim are.
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.
