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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
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Besides that which affects the essential spirit, there are also spiritual impurities that stuck on to us that do not allow the pure Jewish nature to express itself. For this reason, it is necessary for a Jew to accept upon himself a certain type of pleasant servitude, in which we are servants to Hashem, Who created us from the time we were in our mothers’ wombs to be His servants. The servitude to Egypt actually enabled us to acquire this ability to act as servants, so that when all the unwanted forms of servitude fall off, we will be left with the good type, which enables a person to put up with difficulties with love. This is the idea behind maror – to accept with love the bitterness of life, when he knows that there is a lofty reason that necessitates it. That is the reason that maror follows matza.
We mention before eating the matza and maror together that it is a remembrance of the Beit Hamikdash like Hillel. Hillel’s attribute was to love and pursue peace, love other people, and draw them closer to the Torah, which is what keeps the nation attached to sanctity. Peace is something that must extend to Jews in all areas of dispersion and despite all sorts of philosophical disputes. The light of liberation that accompanies the remembrance of Pesach and matza sweetens for us the imprint of the bitterness and pain of exile and the physical and spiritual pains that maror represents. May we merit the complete liberation, in which a canopy of peace and the light of truth will engulf us soon.
[There is great depth to the joining together of matza and maror after they were eaten separately.] We must understand that the power of servitude and the power of freedom are not two disconnected forces with each one reserved for one element of life. Rather these concepts are interconnected and complement each other.
The power of freedom symbolized by matza shows the internal uniqueness of Israel, which enables them to naturally love Hashem and love His Torah and mitzvot. This also gives strength to an individual to overcome individual tendencies, which cause a person to lag behind the highest level that is destined for the nation. While they appear to be at odds with the good and pleasant way, when the strength of freedom is victorious, its special character will be displayed wonderfully.
There is thus much to be gained from each power being dominant and even unopposed by its counter power in the realm in which it is appropriate. Where freedom belongs, servitude should not be present to hold it back. Conversely, in a realm where the good type of servitude is appropriate, the desire for freedom should not intrude. That is why matza and maror should be eaten separately.
However, the above is true only on the level of the individual. The ultimate goal will be realized only when there is a recognition that freedom and servitude are not really conflicting but are actually connected in a manner that gives the world the highest type of freedom – one which is clear only when it has along with it the crown of lofty servitude, i.e., servitude to Hashem, which is actually the most complete freedom. That is the reason that complete freedom comes when it is "rolled up together" with servitude. Then man will find full dominion in a manner that is fitting for a truly free person, who rules over even the greatest of powers, i.e., the power of freedom itself.
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.
