YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Jewish Thought
- Foundations of Faith
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Hana Bat Behora
Having learned about the preeminence of the land of Israel, the nature of the Temple service, as well as the greatness of the Jewish people and the Holy Tongue, the Khazar king says to the Rabbi, "I would request that you now describe for me a servant of God according to your opinion."
The Rabbi answers, "This is our conception of a servant of God. He is not cut off from the world in a manner that makes him a burden upon the world and the world burden for him. He does not distance himself from life and despise it, for life is really full of God's goodness. God Himself cites good life as a reward which He gives to the righteous, as it says, 'You will have long life' (Deuteronomy 22:7), and 'I will make the number of your days complete' (Exodus 23:26).
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
43 - 43. Hebrew's Preeminence - Continued
44 - 44. The Servant of God
45 - 45. The “Hassid” (Saintly Person)
Load More
"True, a servant of God longs and desires to ascend to the highest of levels, like Chanoch, of whom it says, 'Chanoch walked with God' (Genesis 5:24), or the level of Elijah, who reached a very lofty spiritual state, elevated above all of the matters of this world and attached to spiritual spheres. Such a state fills a person with great joy. One who reaches such a level will not feel as if he lacks the physical pleasures which every normal person requires, for a lofty spiritual joy fills his spirit. Such a person does not feel lonely, for he is attached to the angels.
"For one who has attained such a high spiritual level, abstinence does not distance him from pleasure - to the contrary, it brings him closer to it. According to his high spiritual level, worldly matters and society actually burden him and stifle his spiritual pleasure which is infinitely greater than physical worldly pleasures.
"However, today, most people are not on such a level, and hence abstinence and seclusion actually cause a person torment and lead to physical and mental sickness. Instead of elevating him, abstinence depresses him. People might think he looks this way because of his sense of humility and lowliness. In reality, though, he will look this way because he feels like a prisoner. He will despise life not because of his longing for a higher, more spiritual existence but because of his disgust with his self-restrictions and self-afflictions. Therefore, this is not the path taken today by one who wishes to serve God. Rather, such a person must love life and avail himself of all his human faculties in order serve God.
"In the past, when the Divine Presence rested upon the Holy People in the Holy Land, there were small groups of unique people who lived lives of seclusion in order to attain a high level of spirituality. They were called "the Sons of Prophets." They did not isolate themselves completely from society, but rather joined with others like themselves. They helped each other in Torah wisdom, commandments, and spiritual elevation. That was then, when spiritual conditions were appropriate. But today, in our time and place, asceticism is not a virtue but a vice, and a true servant of God loves life, and makes use of all of life's goodness in order to serve God."
------
Much of the text in the above article is taken from or based upon Rabbi N. Daniel Korobkin's translation of The Kuzari (Jason Aronson Inc.)
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
