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Beit Midrash
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- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: Hashem’s divine wisdom dictates the holy recordings that must be written in the Torah. He weighs precisely how they should impact those who study that section of the Torah.
Sometimes the internal principle that needs to be conveyed by the story to make a certain impression on the spirit cannot be gained if the story was expressed in its literal manner. From the reader’s "distant vantage point," he will not be able to understand the main principle. Then Hashem employs precise and holy measuring instruments to determine how to portray the story so that we will receive it in a manner that will provide the proper impact.
In order to reach this goal, Hashem uses the double holy utensils of the Written and Oral Law in a unified manner. In that way, when the time comes that the concepts portrayed by the written text extend beyond their proper impact, then Hashem reveals the literal truth to us through the light of the Oral Law. Then we discover what actually transpired in the event described in the Torah. At that point, we have together the imprint left by the story as the simple words describe it and give an external message, along with the deeper message that comes from the Rabbinical exposition on the words of the Torah.
Each one has its own impact on the spirit. The simple meaning of the words has the advantage of being simple and that people are used to it from the time of their youth. The Rabbinical exegesis has the advantage of its novelty and the beauty of its analysis. When the two come together, the proper impression is preserved, and there is an appropriate balance that is the Torah of Life that was given to Israel.
The actions of the forefathers have a major impact on Israel. All of the details of their lives affect the nation not only in the past but even in the present and the future. The spirit that existed in the House of Yaakov, upon whose name we are still called, lives with us to this day, and its light illuminates our lives. If an event brought fog to this lighted area in the past, it still affects us today. We suffer, and we try to bring back the full light, with the help of Hashem, Who always looks after His flock.
The great and unblemished spirit of the "stone of Israel," our forefather Yaakov, filled his home and we are still privy to the grandeur that he provided. If there was a negative spirit, due to internal strife, it caused the light to recede somewhat from what it should have been. This lessening of light comes to us, "from a distance" in our days, as an important flaw. Therefore, according to the divine calibration of the significance of events, the change in the power of Yaakov due to the fact that Reuven moved his bed in protest, was so poignant that it was equivalent to Reuven sleeping with Bilha.
On the other hand, if we want to properly view the level of Reuven, based on this story, we need the Oral Law’s exegetical tools, which were placed in trustworthy hands, to know that one must not say that Reuven sinned the sin of sleeping with Bilha. Rather, the story was presented in this complex manner so that we will realize the deep message that the impact of what the Rabbis taught actually happened was as great as if that which the Torah described happened literally.
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
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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.
