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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: If one wants to light up the light of the soul with purity, so that it will be able to reach its goal of elevated life, one needs to first wage war against the blind power that dwells within a person, i.e., the power of physical evil. This power is liable to spread through the whole world of creations. When he uproots the power of darkness and prevents it from taking its normal actions, as a person removes his interests from bad things because he realizes how they are detrimental, he is ready for change. Then, when the flame of holiness comes to illuminate and the light of Torah brings life to the world, life becomes complete without the Satan and other dangerous things impeding the light’s clarity. According to this educational approach, first one has to attack the power of evil to uproot and weaken it, and then the spirit with the sanctity of Torah and knowledge of the divine comes to enlighten. The advantage of this system is that when the spiritual clarity comes forth, it is clean and refined.
However, there is also another approach, according to which one strives to use even the power of evil for the purpose of the lofty divine goal. Thereby, he does not go forth to first uproot the power of evil, but to try to light the soul with a complete light of sanctity. If there are pieces of impurity within the life of evil, it does not prevent the light from being absorbed. Rather it increases the positive when even the powers of evil are harnessed for good. Only if at the end there are elements of evil that cannot be purified by the great light, then the person has to turn to those remnants and eradicate them.
According to the first approach, Hashem first told the people about the punishment for sin, to shock them into removing the evil tendency to sin so that the venom of evil will not ruin the light and goodness. Only afterward did Hashem share the elements of reward for good actions. But according to the second approach, Hashem first told about the reward and only later went on to the punishment for evil actions. That is because the power of life is so great that it can purify that which is bad and enslave it to the service of good. Only in regard to that which remained of the evil there was later a discussion of the punishment for bad actions. These are matters that are as hard as sinews. Finally, the power of good is complete, powerful, and pure.
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
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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.
