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Beit Midrash
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- Ein Ayah
Condensed from Ein Ayah, Shabbat 9:84.
Gemara: R. Yochanan said: The pasuk (Tehillim 68:12), "Hashem will give a statement that informs a great collection of people," teaches the following: Every commandment that came from the "mouth" of Hashem was divided into 70 languages. [A similar statement of Chazal is that there are 70 facets to every teaching of Torah (Bamidbar Rabba 13:16).]
Ein Ayah: The general power to give instruction to the whole world, with differences existing according to the characteristics of each nation and language, is included in the sacred revelation of the Divine Presence, which occurred at the giving of the Torah to Israel. The entire world became prepared to receive this new light, including the light of holy life and sacred guidance, in a way that was impossible before the lofty light of the perfect Torah was given.
We learn from this that in the lofty power of the Divine [to command mankind], which rules over all the nations, there is a hidden element of recognition of wisdom that can be imparted to the nations according to their different characteristics. This special ability is not just an outgrowth of the general light of the Torah, but rather it is connected to every single commandment.
This is indicated in the words, "Hashem will give a statement…" Every statement is full of great lights and colors, which each nation can absorb. This gives great power, which comes from the divine revelation, which is lit by the sanctity of the Torah. This allows various groups to be spiritually sustained by it.
Positive and Negative "Drugs"
Condensed from Ein Ayah, Shabbat 9:86.
Gemara: The pasuk (Mishlei 8:6) says: "Listen as rulers I speak." Why are the words of Torah compared to a ruler. Just as a ruler has the ability to kill or to grant life, so too the words of Torah have the ability to kill or to bring life. It is as Rava said: For those who take the correct approach to Torah, it is a drug of life; for those who take the wrong approach to it, it is a drug of death.
Ein Ayah: Every great spiritual vision that comes upon a person increases the scope of his spirit proportionally to the greatness of the vision. If it is adorned with sanctity, the power of life within him can be very strong and can impact all of the person’s spiritual powers. This applies to his most elevated, internal elements, indeed to all of his natural life functions. However, whether these powers will end up being for the person’s betterment or downfall depends on the internal desires of he who is exposed to them. Is he leaning toward fortunate and good things or to weakness and evil?
Dominion is by its nature the power of life that is concentrated in one individual from within a large group. When it clings to one who uses the dominion with a blessed spirit, full with righteous behavior, fear of G-d, and love of his fellow human being, it creates happy lives for all around him and lets all good things be maximized. When it clings to a haughty person, the dominion turns into a destructive force, which can cause spiritual or physical death.
This is not only true of national dominion but of personal one as well. The light of sanctity within the Torah impacts the individual’s spirit significantly, as it does for society. The life forces created by the Torah can be used for life or death. Those who approach Torah in a manner that is spiritually responsible, following its instructions properly, experience a drug of life. If one just uses it to receive power, it turns into a drug of death which is better to be avoided altogether.
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.
