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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: When thoughts of the divine are connected properly to purity of the intellect and of morality, it continually increases and ever more draws closer to the eternal light of this world and all of the worlds. However, when purity is missing and when ignorance is prevalent, the coarse materialistic characteristics pollute all of the heart and the spirit. Then, the thought of sanctity and recognition of Hashem is turned into a small idea that does not go beyond his individual understanding of the divine. It contains no more aspiration than the little that he himself presently possesses. It has only a small amount of ability to spiritually fly; some amount must exist because a thought of the divine has at least some measure of spirituality. This is the flying of a fly, which is small and despised. It also resembles the yetzer hara, which is like a fly that sits between the openings of the heart (based on High Holiday prayers).
This lacking form of fear of Hashem, which is unique in regard to scope and form, is a result of the lowliness and coarseness of this type of lowly thought. It is especially connected to the imagination of personal benefit, which can be described as an individual’s pocket. The feelings of longing toward Hashem are capable of elevating the intellect and feeling, the power of both the spirit and the physicality, to an eternal lofty blessing. However, lowly thoughts can turn them into vehicles of despicable idolatry, which lowers a man to the level of an insignificant living thing such as a fly. It can cause him to wallow in waste-like materials, along with his originally positive feelings of spiritual longings. They became like a fly in a pocket, which, in a warped manner, becomes the subject of intense affection, so that people take it out to kiss and hug upon thinking about it.
This ba’al brit (possessor of a covenant) does not so connect with one who has aspiration and an idealistic thought of unification, but rather relates to the low level of prayers for his own personal needs. This occurs when one’s intellect and morality are destroyed.
On the other hand, these problematic feelings, even after they were lowered and defiled, are still destined to be purified and return to their source at the height of the divine embrace of that which is lofty and all-inclusive. This is due to the ability of the Jewish spirit to repent out of a feeling of love, as we are promised. See Zecharia 9:7, which talks about the return of Ekron (possessors of the lowly idol) to be like Yevusi, which is another name for Jerusalem. This is the place where the recognition of Hashem is on the highest and most eternal level. By contrast, we can see how lowly the thought was before it was purified, when it was connected to the form of a fly and found in the very individualistic part of a person, represented by his pocket. When everyone cares about "his pocket," it blinds his spiritual side to the extent that he is lowly enough to take it out of his pocket to kiss it and hug it when he just thinks about it.
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
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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.
