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Beit Midrash
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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Hana Bat Haim
The question begs: what is the point of writing the matter in a way that sounds like he should be executed if we are not to do so? Rabbeinu Chananel (to Bava Kamma 27a) says that the Torah is telling us that the owner who did not curb his murderous ox really deserves death. However, the Torah spared him and gave him a lesser sentence and a means of making some amends through a special, atoning monetary payment.
Yet, one can still ask why this is the only case where one who indirectly caused death is worthy of death. Why do we not find this idea regarding one who digs a pit, is warned to cover it, and refuses to do so or one who lights a fire, is warned to extinguish it, and continues? They make full damage payments like the owner of a dangerous ox, so why should they not be fit to die for their criminal negligence?
The key to the special nature of the owner of the murderous ox may be the Torah’s description, "lo yishmerenu" (he will not watch it). The Torah doesn’t say he didn’t watch it, in the past tense. It may be hinting that some people act in a way that shows that they have no intention to ever watch the ox. When a person lights a fire, he realizes that if it damages or kills, it is, to a great extent, he who did it. The same is true of a ditch he dug in the public domain. It is unlikely that his negligence is a philosophy. In contrast, the owner of the ox can point fingers: "It’s not me. The ox did it. That, after all, is the reason that the Torah says to kill the ox." One who shifts responsibility to another, claiming that he is responsible only for things he does himself possesses a sick yet all too human philosophy. It is dangerous to leave the standard rules of culpability. The Torah confronts him with the phrase "yumat."
From a halachic perspective, the scenario is limited to animal owners. However, the lesson of fighting the tendency to shift blame for endangering people away from oneself is important. When a driver speeds or tailgates, his reaction to one who dares confront him may be that he is too good a driver for anything to happen. If, Heaven forbid, something does happen, he can reassure himself that someone else was at fault for stopping abruptly or building poor roads. The Torah teaches us that failing to minimize risks to others is tantamount, on some levels, to murder itself.
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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.