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We’ll answer this in a bit. But first, let’s turn to the famous dispute between Hillel & Shammai, as to how we are to light. Shammai says that we start with 8 lights & wind down to 1; Hillel counters that we start with 1 & then work our way up to 8. One rationale for their opinions: The purpose of the light is to conquer darkness; Shammai says in order to do that, you need an initial burst of light, a solid "opening punch" to stagger the enemy; after that, it will be an easier fight, so you can reduce the energy level more & more.
Hillel counters that the struggle against darkness is a continuous process; start small but keep going, build on your momentum. The key to victory is determination & persistence; the race is won by slow yet steady progress.
Yosef is the perfect model for gradual growth, particularly as it relates to his relationship with his family & his people. When he first lands in Egypt, he is – quite understandably – disenchanted with both his brothers & his father. After all, they threw him in the pit, cruelly ignoring his pleas for help, then they sold him into slavery & nonchalantly sat themselves down for a hearty meal.
Is it any wonder that Yosef does not try to find his folks, even after he becomes Viceroy of Egypt & has virtually unlimited power? Maybe Yosef just doesn’t want to find them!
He gets a new, Egyptian name – Tzafnat Paneach, which means "hidden face" - & an Egyptian wife. He even names his first son "Menashe," because "he has forgotten his father’s house." He "walks like an Egyptian" & looks like one, too – it’s likely that is why his brothers don’t recognize him even when they stand directly in front of him. But little by little, Yosef starts to change. He notes how the Egyptians refuse to break bread with Hebrews, whom they consider "abominable." He names his second son "Efraim," saying, Hashem has made me fruitful "in the land of my oppression."
He sees how Yehuda stands up for Binyamin, even at the risk of his life. He longs for his one true father – Yakov - & somehow senses that Paro – who has been a kind of foster father to him – will not always be so benevolent. He comes to understand that his true loyalty is to Am Yisrael, & so he cautions his family to live separate from the Egyptians. He sternly reminds them that ultimately they will – they must! – leave this, & every other Exile in history - no matter how cushy it may seem - to come back to Israel, our only true home.
Yosef, then, was clearly a pre-existing Hillel supporter. His life exemplifies that growth doesn’t usually occur in huge spurts; it comes slowly, step-by-step. In that dark pit, Yosef lit the lights in ascending order - & so do we.
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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.