YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: Eternity is within the view of the beings of the Heaven (angels). Being all-encompassing and beyond change is their lot. The holy divine light has a wondrous effect on all, as it makes the vision of eternity so clear. At the same time, there are creations that change as time goes on.
The great divine penetration reaches from the highest level of completeness of the all-encompassing and unchanging until the most detailed of the individual and the changing beings. Therefore, it is not right for the Torah to be concentrated in a place that is only for those who are of the highest quality. Part of the Torah’s design is to take people who are on a low level and to elevate them to a pure, holy level and in that way to unify existence in the world. It cannot remain in the domain of the already elevated and unchanging angels.
The eternal divine revelation, highlighted by the first of the Ten Commandments, made an imprint on the changing nature of mankind, who are affected by important historical events. It is not only because the Jewish People went down to Egypt and therefore were particularly in need of being drawn up. It was also because due to the connection to Egypt, great miracles were needed to extricate Bnei Yisrael from the clutches of the evil kingdom of Paroh. Paroh became the correct utensil to receive the plagues, which were a display of the justice of Hashem in the world.
That is why Moshe had a good claim against the angels in that they did not go down to Egypt and were not slaves to Paroh. They are too all-encompassing and are not individuals or those who change nor could their status turn into such types by means of events that impact people. Since they cannot unite the status of the individual with the all-encompassing, Torah is not of full value for them.
The positive divine light reaches its full intensity when it comes in contact with an abundance of dark and negative influences. The negative and darkness need to have a relationship of being around the base of light, as the pasuk says, "They shall go around the evildoers" (Tehillim 12:9). They should not, though, penetrate into the light. The appearance of the light thus shows its dominion in fighting against darkness. The light of the true G-d is good and beautiful and adorns the world with grandeur.
The angels, as holy Heavenly beings, dwell among the positive light, and neither negative darkness nor powers of moral decay have a place among them. Therefore, they cannot be the sources of the emergence of light to purify the world. That is what Moshe meant by saying that they do not live among idol worshippers. They cannot imagine the dangers of darkness and therefore they cannot overcome them. For that, they would need real contact with idol worshippers.
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 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.