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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: Life and everything that can be observed in the world can be divided between quality and quantity. The hard work that people put themselves through and the complications within society can be attributed to the fact that people do not know how to look at riches in the world from its qualitative perspective, but only from its quantitative perspective. In truth, the quantitative outlook is blinding and deceiving.
It is only if a nation accesses lofty divine light that it can elevate itself to the point that they can look only at the qualitative fortune and not care if the quantitative fortune appears very paltry. At the end, though, the "honor will eventually come," as the qualitative riches will have an impact on the quantity as well. However, when will the riches be acquired in a proper way? It will be when the nation clings to the qualitative in a deep and internal manner, even under conditions to which one who is interested in physical plenty will vehemently object.
This special relationship is Hashem’s present to Israel, as the pasuk says: "For Yaakov has been chosen by Hashem, Israel, to be His special nation" (Tehillim 135:4). Israel also chose the one Hashem to cleave to with love and scorned the many false gods because Israel realized their nothingness and emptiness, and this will elevate them forever.
In the beginning of the cognitive process, when the nation was on a lower level, the heart stood surprised and disappointed with the small quantity of material gain. However, that turns into great wealth, when they possess everything they could want. "The portion of Israel is not like that of the others, for He is the Creator of everything" (Yirmiyahu 10:16).
The above principles are symbolically connected to the letter yud. It is the smallest letter, but, numerically, having a gematria of 10, represents the first jump into greater quantity by starting the next digit, which then leads to the possibility of other digits being added. This is the characteristic that completes one’s level and stops the spiritual contamination of the snake, which follows the coarse desires of what it sees with its eyes.
Now let us connect all the lessons of the letters of the tefillin that are halacha l’Moshe miSinai (see the previous two pieces in Ein Ayah), which show us a balanced outlook at life that shows true unity. The shin shows that even those lines that come from different directions lead to one point. The dalet shows a tendency toward the right, toward the optimal way of doing things. The yud represents the internal decision to love quality over the accumulation of a multitude of objects that increase one’s material collection. These three ideas prepare a person to exist in the "shade of Hashem," (using His Name that is spelled shin-yud-dalet) who has enough (a play on the word "she-dai") in His ability as the Lord to provide for all live beings and who told His world that it has expanded sufficiently.
In contrast to the limitations imposed by operating in a world of quantity, one can be embraced by a limitless flow of light of the world, which constantly increases its share of divine dew that gives life to spirits. This provides the light of life to the entire universe, granting salvation, wisdom, and justice, which flow from the knowledge of Hashem and the true ways of His goodness. This crowns Israel in glory, in a path that finds expression in the laws of the Torah that were passed down to Israel by Moshe at Sinai.
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.