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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
In the past, these days had a very different character; even Yom Kippur was a happy holiday (Mishna, Ta’anit 4:8). This day of spiritual purification was a very happy day, as everyone felt the sins being lifted from him and embraced his new self. Chazal refer to Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur as "my light" and "my salvation," respectively (Vayikra Rabba 21:4), and light shone throughout. It appears that while for us the days find expression as days of judgment, in more ideal times they were felt as days of repentance and purification. But for us, they are Days of Awe rather than Days of Light.
What is the special light of Rosh Hashana, which allows the power of salvation to come forth on Yom Kippur? Chazal say on "you shall make an olah" (Bamidbar 29:2) that it is considered as if you became a new person before Hashem (Yerushalmi, Rosh Hashana 4:8). Rosh Hashana is the holiday of renewal, of removing the dirt of the past. One becomes a new person. Yesterday and last year disappear. We learn what there is to learn from the past … and move on from it. Even the greatest actions of the past are relegated to the past. The navi refers to "melumada," a learned action, one of rote, as a despised concept (Yeshaya 29:13). Returning to the same action and the same thought without inserting today’s new spirit of life is insufficient.
This is where the independent mitzva of teshuva (repentance) comes in. Even if one fulfilled all the mitzvot of the Torah except for this mitzva, he is missing something. We must renew ourselves, not just when there is something horrible that needs to be shaken off, but even when we are basically good. Our actions still must not be old and stale, of rote and habit. One must stand before his Maker with new emotion, pain, and joy. Let our wrapping of tefillin and saying of the same words of tefilla use a new spirit. Let us realize what we are doing and what we are thinking.
Then we can feel a new spirit every day and feel like new people. The navi distinguishes between those who do and those who do not serve Hashem (Malachi 3:18), and Chazal say this refers to the difference between one who reviews his studies 100 vs. 101 times (Chagiga 9b). The obvious question is that there does not seem to be a stark difference between the two people. Rav Simcha Zisel of Kelm explains that the additional review is a sign that he feels the experience as something new – with a new spirit that we can call serving Hashem. When one breaks the routine, he is serving Hashem.
Renew your actions during the upcoming month and year; then the mitzvot will warm us up and encourage us … and make us new and improved people.
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.
