YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: The shepherd has the good fortune to be in a field, a place in which he can elevate his spiritual level. Hevel was a shepherd, and Hashem accepted his offering favorably (Bereishit 4:4). A shepherd should look at the material gain he receives from his flock and learn from it. The first thing he should notice is the moral insight related to the nature of these animals.
Sheep is the flock animal that is raised to use its hair for clothing, to cover one from his nakedness. It was blessed by its Maker with a covering over great parts of its own body, including a tail to cover its nakedness.
This teaches us that the goodness that one species provides for another comes back to help itself as well. All creations are interconnected, so that when there is a general improvement for the world, it benefits all beings. There is not war between living things, but rather an interrelationship of strength and peace.
Only those animals that are not used to cover us are not covered. Man’s honor does not allow one to dress himself in sackcloth, which is made from the hair of goats. The feeling of honor that a person has because of his higher soul also comes with a sign from the characteristic of the animal with which man embarks on his path toward material and spiritual acquisition. That is why sheep and goats are called ashterot, which hints at the fact that they enrich (ma’ashir) their owners (see Chulin 84b).
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.