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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayishlach
However, if we listen carefully, the Midrash is trying to teach us an important lesson about who Jacob was. Jacob is so special that when you look at him and understand how great he is, the world doesn't really count. He is like the base of the world the ground on which everything stands. And in one respect, he really carries the whole world on his shoulders. This whole world exists thanks to the people of Israel and he, as their forefather, represents this fact. Jacob is on so much higher a level, that he exemplifies God to some degree.
On the other hand, there's another midrash explaining that Jacob was standing there alone because he was the last one to leave the field, and he wanted to make sure that he didn't forget anything, even the smallest object that had only monetary value. This is trying to teach us that the righteous pay attention to even the smallest things and relate to even the smallest detail.
Two midrashim, each one coming from the same Pasuk, which are totally different - we might even say opposite. One highlights how great Jacob was, while the other shows us how sensitive he was to minutae. The truth is that they are not so much opposite, as complimentary to each other.
Rav Kook explains that a great personality is someone who can live on a spiritual level which is much higher than that of this world, but on the other hand, must have the ability to notice and respect every tiny part of it, too.
The way we see things in this world, we live our life feeling that anyone who is a significant personality, will not waste his time, getting involved with minutae. But the truth is that it's only by being connected to the small things and being on a high-level, that you are able to achieve greatness and a significant figure in the sovereignty of the world. Surely this is a great way to invest in higher spiritual study, while keeping all the mitzvot, even the smallest of them. Shabbat Shalom!
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.
