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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: The general preparations for leadership have to include all of the human powers, even those that are very bad and difficult. The leadership will be successful only when the dangerous powers are used in a manner that is for the good. If the person develops a tendency toward being impacted too much by the negative power, then the leadership will not develop correctly. By necessity, the broad gamut of powers will include those that have elements of weakness and damage, which can interfere with many important areas of physical and spiritual life.
If and when this occurs, there becomes a need to divide the apparatus. In that way, each section of the nation will develop with a unique style that prevents a certain power from being an obstacle for that section’s vulnerability, as seen through past problems.
It was necessary for powers that are connected to evil for the individual to be present in the great and broad spirit of the offspring of Yishai, which is the source of the Davidic dynasty. When all was well, it was not necessary for there to be a division – as long as those powers did not exceed their proper boundaries. However, once it went even one step beyond the point of safety, the general spirit of the national leadership was already susceptible to spiritual disease by means of which certain powers had negative effects on certain groups. In fact, many necessary powers are generally what Chazal call "a life-giving drug for those who ‘go to the right’ and a deadly poison for those who ‘go to the left.’"
There are two sides to the internal and external national leadership. There is a side of sanctity, which is related to Bnei Yisrael’s status as Hashem’s kingdom and a kingdom of kohanim, whose foundation is rooted in the Davidic kingdom. There is also a more general universal element of leadership with developed political considerations, as applies to all nations. At a time of completeness, both elements stem from one source and are closely connected, and there is neither contradiction nor danger from the interaction of the two elements. This is because the kingdom of the House of David was so broad and complete that even the most negative power could be used for a good purpose and with godly sanctity that can elevate everything.
Such a basic negative power is accepting lashon hara. However, once accepting lashon hara was abused [by punishing Mefiboshet without his being guilty of anything] by even a small degree beyond the proper limits, the contradictory part of negative powers surfaced. This was a major problem for a kingdom that was supposed to combine both the sacred and the mundane, with each one having many forms and styles. The differences between the two continued to be more and more at odds with each other. Finally, there was a need to fix matters for the sake of the future, and Hashem decided to make the painful split between the different parts of the kingdom. The tension that led to this began already from the time that David decided to accept Tziva’s slanderous description of Mefiboshet’s behavior. As a result, the divine voice announced the future splitting of the kingdom of Israel.
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
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
