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Beit Midrash
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- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: Bravery is intrinsically an adornment. The power of life is always good, and this is naturally connected to bravery, which comes with purity and straightness. That is the reason that outward signs of bravery are adornments.
Nevertheless, the Rabbis say that even though the intrinsic characteristic of bravery is grand and an adornment for a person, the way it has been used to this point is very ugly. Since most use of arms is for the bad, it displays more human destruction than it shows the grandeur of positive bravery, which is why arms are negative.
The contrast that exists between nations improves the world and actually gives it more grandeur at times that it is needed. As long as there is contrast there needs to be fear of war, with the sword in the hand creating a balance of strength that prevents war from breaking out. That is the beauty of the sword, as it enables contrast to exist while preserving peace. The goal of the sword is to never be used but just to be an adornment. The power of contrast is to allow each nation to be completed in its unique character, and yet it will not come to be that they shed blood.
At the time of Mashiach, though, the power of contrast will be uprooted, and the proper differences between nations will find expression in a more fully complementary manner, in the way that the individual limbs of the body constitute one full body. At that time, a sword will not be necessary at all because there will not even be a latent force that could spring into war. Only complete peace will be prevalent, and there will be feelings of friendship and respect between the nations, so that arms will no longer have the status of an adornment because they will have no need.
There will indeed be a period of transition in the annals of human history. Previously, there had been world destruction and upheaval, with hatred prevalent and swords used as instruments of bloodshed at the hands of the evil. This will be followed by a period of light, when peace will be secure and a rule of justice will cover the whole world. This is the arrival of the Kingdom of Hashem throughout the world. This is the point of the coming of Mashiach. Contrast between nations will cease to be one that focuses on the individual nation and therefore did not reach its mark of creating a beautiful spectrum of colors. Rather, it will be one united force with everyone being connected as one unit.
There needs to be an interim period in which contrast has not totally ceased, yet its purpose will already be clear in every heart and in every nation and culture. At the time that everyone will respect the uniqueness of every other nation and see the value of their inclinations, they will all know how to reach one united goal – the beauty of the divine kingdom will be felt throughout. Then not only will there not be war in practice, but there will not even be a potential of war. Thus, the sword will no longer serve as an adornment, as it would darken the glow of the special era and would lower its honor like a candle does in the sunlight.
Ein Ayah There are Two Sides to Existence but One Right Place for Things
condensed from Ein Ayah, Shabbat 12:7
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.
