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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: [Rav Kook is bothered why it is that the beracha is on a singular light, considering that the mitzva is to light multiple candles. Presumably the question is due to the fact that there are multiple days, as on any given day there is not an outright obligation to light more than one candle and on the first day there is only one candle.]
Chanuka is positively influenced by the loftiest future, as we said (see Ein Ayah, Shabbat 2:8) when explaining the significance of the word Chanuka, which is related to the word chinuch (education). Chanuka conjures up all the individual lights that need to illuminate the nation: the light of Torah, the light of prophecy, the light of wisdom, the light of justice, the light of bravery, the light of joy, the light of loving-kindness, the light of love, and other similar concepts.
All of these individual lights seem to be independent and separate from each other, only before the highest purpose of life is recognized. It is sometimes important for these lights to stand separately so that the special form of each one of them will not be blurred by their being mixed in among the others.
On the other hand, there are times in which the separation between the different lights (i.e., the concepts that they represent) can bring philosophical disputes. One person will be particularly attracted to one of the lights to an extreme, and it will appear to him that someone who is drawn primarily to a different light is slighting the light that appeals most to him and whose grandeur is clearest to him. In some ways, this can actually be good, as the devotees of each light will take steps to show the greatness and significance of their ideal. When this is done for each light, the intensity of appreciation of each one expands, and, therefore, in all, there is great development of each light.
However, the separation of the lights will not remain forever, for as long as there is a lack of philosophical unity, sanctity cannot be well-based in the world. The greatest blessing is peace, and, in the future, this will be attained when there will be a clear recognition to all that the ostensibly individual lights are actually just one light. That is the reason that we do not refer, in the beracha, to the lights of Chanuka. It is because Chanuka is spiritually connected to the distant very lofty future, when Hashem’s greatness will be transcendent in the world. In deference to that future time of philosophical unity we refer to the light of Chanuka.
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 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.
