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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: That which is attractive sometimes contradicts that which is good, so that there is a choice between attractive but not good and good but not attractive. This is true not only in the physical world but also in the spiritual world. Specifically, that which is good in the intellectual world is the truth; that which is attractive is the sharpness. When the attractive and the good are unified, then each strengthens its counterpart in an essential manner of repeated goodness. This is true if nothing destructive ruins the positive coexistence, as the attractive is liable to create distractions that detract from the goodness.
When spiritual attractiveness is connected to related goodness, i.e., to truth, it is smoother than the truth itself, so that the internal truth is blessed with attractiveness. When one takes the intellectual inquiry to a faster and more distant plane, the closer and more secure truth becomes clearer, in a manner that the simple approach to truth could not attain. It is actually best when the two spiritual powers connect, with the mental creativity expanding and being glorious yet remaining within the confines of the truth. When each force has its own unique outlook, it helps ensure that the other force does not stray from its proper place. We then find that the grandeur of the power of spirituality is the intellectual attractiveness that is adorned with ideas that excite the spirit with their sharpness. They enjoy internal success from Hashem, whose signet is truth, as the gemara says that Hashem will provide success.
A person should not think that truth demands that people’s thoughts remain simple, without light, intellectual joy, and a broadening of the mind. It is true that there are many elements of truth that are limited to that which is simple, and that a heart that loves truth feels the great beauty of a truth that is short and simple. That being said, one should not depress the uplifting feeling that comes from ideas from "distant intellectual places" and a host of thoughts that are full of sharpness. When they come in the right measure, they reveal great truth adorned with bright colors that includes divinely bequeathed spiritual success.
The characteristic of shining light of truth from the midst of the complication of different opinions and distinctions, which comes along with true intellectual sharpness, forms the basis of public leadership. The leader must collect the different opinions and phenomena that are spread throughout the community and bring them to one large and orderly apparatus of orderly truth. Such leadership is most appropriate for Torah scholars who are part of an effort to connect different elements of intellectual attainment with richly shaded truth. That is the reason that such people rise to greatness.
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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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.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.
