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Beit Midrash
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Ein Ayah: There are two sides to the inclination to beauty – a positive and a negative one. On the one hand, it uplifts the soul and has a good and honorable impact on the eyes that see it. On the other hand, a person could become lost in it, thereby losing his basic reason for his success. The basis of a person’s internal success is his realization that his happiness is always to be found within himself, his heart and soul. He should not seek it from others.
The inclination toward beauty enslaves a person to others, as most aesthetic things depend on the eye of the beholder. This distances a person from the way of truth and true fear of Heaven, which is based on the lofty idea of "the candle of Hashem is the soul of man who searches the inner chambers" (Mishlei 20:27). The highest goodness derives from one’s internal integrity, based on his deep desire for goodness, justice and integrity, not by finding favor in the eyes of others.
Therefore, both inclinations must find things to strengthen them. Those who seek beauty, to find favor in the eyes of others, benefit not only from the uplifting nature of the beauty. It also develops and enhances society, as it makes people interdependent one on another regarding matters they have agreed upon.
However, there are unique individuals whose focus is on their own self-improvement, piety, and sanctity. Only indirectly will great goodness come from these holy people to society in general. They bring great benefit to the broad society. These people do not influence others by their actions, but by their essence, as opposed to those who influence by their actions.
It is more fitting for those hidden people, whose goodness resonates when they are inwardly focused, to despise beauty and splendor, nullifying any search for finding favor in the eyes of their surroundings. This inclination toward absolute truth will bring forth an abundance of good, peace and inner tranquility, as well as holiness of the heart and a depth of the soul.
There are others whose purpose is to influence directly through actions and speech. Those, who impact the world directly, are by nature connected to this world. Bringing goodness and honor through beauty is part of their holy service. They need to wash their faces, hands and feet in honor of their Creator, for this is the honor of Hashem. This good influence of holy people, righteous and wise Jews, has a great impact on others. This will increase the attribute of shame, as everyone will find themselves enslaved to a society that does right and good. This benefit outweighs the detriment of those who try to use external beauty to blind the other’s eye, and lose all sense of their inner self, which is given to each individual person.
Through these two inclinations together, the good and right things will emerge. "These and these are the words of the living G-d."
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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.
