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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Yom Kippur
- The Essence of Yom Kippur
Some want to put a bit of a negative spin on this move & suggest that if we were found guilty by the Heavenly Court for our sins, let us be sent into a "mini-Exile" as expiation. But I prefer to see this as a very positive experience.
All year long, we extend ourselves to the world at large. We travel constantly, we connect by telephone, Internet or the media to events happening all over the world, we are tuned in & affected by global markets & politics. But come Sukkot, we abruptly "shrink" our world, confining ourselves to a small space, with just the very basics we need to survive. We become "minimalists," if only for a week.
It is only natural to lust for bigger living quarters, for more room for our clothes, for a den, a study or a family room. But how many of us, when we think back to our first home – especially the place we lived in when newly-married –
fondly remember how comfy & cozy we were! Size wasn’t the issue then; Love was more important than Large.
Close quarters can give us a new perspective on life. We can literally come face-to-face with the people we love the most: Our spouses, our parents & kids, the special guests we invite into our intimate igloo during the week. We
can also appreciate how sometimes Less is More, how the simple things in life – though they may be less advanced technologically – can actually bring us the most joy.
On the 10 Days of Repentance - & particularly on Yom Kippur - our fate, & the fate of the entire world are being decided. It’s Life & Death stuff; these weighty issues weigh heavily on our hearts & minds, & upon our souls. Sukkot is the perfect time to ease into serenity-mode, to surround ourselves in Mitzvot – the Sukka, Arba Minim, Hoshanot, Hakafot, etc. To "down-size" our material pursuits ("Morid HaGashem!"), even as we "up-size" & focus on our spiritual side, contemplating the year ahead.
The Torah emphasizes the quality of Simcha on Sukkot, more than any other holiday of the year. Indeed, we say specifically about Sukkot: V’hayita ACH Sameach!" – You shall be ONLY happy! Yes, the Sukka may be fragile, even flimsy. But it can be a happy, pleasant, peaceful palace if you just make it so.
Shana Tova – G’mar Chatima Tova – Chag Sameach!
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.
