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Beit Midrash
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- Pathways in Personality Development
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
R. Avraham Ben David
For example, discretion and contemplation of one's deeds, as opposed to indifference and avoidance of contemplation; or alacrity in the fulfillment of one's obligations, as opposed to sluggishness - these are qualities which every healthy person is interested in possessing. This being the case, that which follows is relevant to all.
One of the most outstanding guides to personality development is the classic book by the Ramhal (Rabbi Moshe Haim Lutzatto), written more than three hundred years ago, Messilat Yesharim , "The Path of the Just."
The Ramhal constructed his book according to an ancient saying by the Mishnaic sage Rabbi Pinhas Ben Yair, which asserts that " zehirut" is the first of those qualities which needs to be cared for and established if one wishes to develop his personality.
Pathways in Personality Development (52)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
1 - 1. The Quality of "Zehirut" - that Man Contemplate His Actions
2 - 2. Introspection
3 - 3. "Zehirut"- Inhibiting and Contributing Factors
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Man has a natural craving for many negative things: "The eye sees and the heart desires," and if a person is not careful to examine his actions he is in danger of downfall. Lack of contemplation on the part of man as to the nature of his actions is the origin of all downfalls. And concerning this Haggay the prophet warned, saying: "Pay attention to your ways." King Solomon, too, said: "Don't give sleep to your eyes or rest to your eyelids, escape like a deer from the hand of the hunter (Proverbs 6:4)." That is, don't be drowsy, inattentive about what befalls you. Man shouldn't let his natural inclinations control him, being drawn after them blindly, rather, he should contemplate and examine his ways, controlling his inclinations and directing them.
Behold, Jeremiah the Prophet would complain concerning the evil of the people of his generation because they were afflicted by the plague of this trait, and would hide their eyes from their actions, making no effort to determine whether they should be carried out or rejected. And he said concerning them: "Nobody repents of his wickedness, asking, What have I done? everyone turns to his own course, like a horse rushing into the battle." That is, that they would go along hurriedly in the course of their ways and habits, leaving no time to inspect their actions and their behavior, and would therefore stumble into evil ways without noticing. This is reminiscent of Pharaoh's plan, when he said: "Make the people's burden heavier," for his intention was that the enormous burden render them incapable of considering what was befalling them, and how to escape from the bondage.
So, the lack of examining the nature of one's actions is a deadly sickness, and therefore our sages have said: "All who inspect their paths in this world will be worthy to witness the salvation wrought by the Holy One Blessed be He." Even after one has become aware of his situation and knows what needs to be improved, he has still got a long road ahead of him, for it's not easy to change. It's not easy to overcome the inclinations of the heart, and one needs a lot of divine assistance in this matter. Yet one who sets his heart to fix, who "inspects his paths in this world," the Almighty comes to his assistance, and he is privileged to "witness the salvation wrought by the Holy One Blessed be He."
So, to summarize this portion, the first step on the way to improving one's character is that one contemplate his actions and be familiar with his ways.
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.
