YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: Because external unsightliness is connected to the material world and coarse senses, it is not expected, by itself, to turn into a thing of beauty and grandeur. Rather, the negative state will linger until the imprint of that which is disgusting is removed.
Spiritual unsightliness is different. It is something that has to do with the form of the spirit, with powers that are integrated with a polluted spirit. When the spirit is still polluted, the forces are so compromised that they are filthier than any physical unsightliness. However, when they are in a proper state, the same forces can provide light and growth; everything is then full of beauty and is wonderful. Those same forces that caused spiritual weakness turn into a good, powerful, and sustaining spiritual force.
The impurity of a nida is not only an aesthetically unpleasant thing, but it is even more unsightly in its internal spiritual sense. It would be horrible for a holy nation to allow those affected by this impurity to abound within it. Rather one has to deal with the physical unsightliness in a way that it will not have a negative spiritual impact. This requires much vigilance to avoid. When one is careful from the external perspective, it can leave behind negative reactions of disgust to the source of the impurity, which can ruin the proper course of life and the family. This can impact a relationship of love that should exist in the Jewish home, sometimes literally with the husband seeking to give a get because of his disgust.
Therefore, the picture of external disgust must be transferred into something more fundamental – spiritual unsightliness, which is a matter of a special type of form, which penetrates to the depths of the holy spirit. When this unsightliness passes by means of a very special mode of purification, it reinvigorates that which had withered in the past and turns everything into grandeur, which brings consequences of peace and happiness of the heart.
There were different approaches in different eras in Israel about how to distance oneself from the impurity of a nida. The early elders guided people to make the separation from nida happen on the external level [by withholding adornments which made the women attractive]. But later, there was an approach based on internal light which penetrated to the depths of the heart at the appointed time and did not require an external coating which leaves darkness after it. Rather it is connected strongly with a unique form of spirituality (i.e., the mikveh), which returns the light of the spirit and grants it grandeur and spiritual freshness. This can cause the flowering of gentle and holy life and holy charm. When the positive goes about enveloping the impure, the impurity ebbs away, and there is a new sense of life and elevation based on purity. That is why the woman is a nida only until she goes to the mikveh.
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
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.
