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The midrash (Eicha Rabbati), in another context, demonstrates that participation is the higher level. The midrash contrasts the approach to impending battle of four prominent Kings of Israel. David asked of Hashem: "I shall chase my enemies, and I shall catch up to them" (Tehillim 18:38). Hashem enabled him to do so. One of the early kings of the Davidic dynasty, Assa, turned to Hashem and said: "I do not have the strength to kill my enemies. Rather, I will chase them, and You will kill them." The midrash proves that this request was also granted. Yehoshafat admitted: "I do not have the strength to chase the enemy. Rather, I will sing songs of praise, and You will do everything." This too was done. The last of the kings mentioned, Chizkiyahu, said something mind-boggling: "I do not have strength to kill or chase or sing songs of praise. Rather, I will sleep on my bed, and You will do." Indeed, as Chizkiyahu slept, Hashem’s plague destroyed Sancherev’s whole army.
The midrash’s language and context demonstrates that this is an illustration of yeridat hadorot, an erosion in people’s level from one generation to the next. David’s approach was the healthiest of the four. He merited taking an active in role in fighting for/with Hashem, as Avigayil said: "For my master does fight the wars of Hashem." The least commendable of the four is Chizkiyahu, who did not even have the strength to properly sing to Hashem. In fact, Hashem was willing to make that battle the apocalyptic war and Chizkiyahu would have been Mashiach had he sung songs of praise (Shir Hashirim Rabbah 4).
Let us return to Yam Suf. After seeing endless miracles, the nation still complained, "It would have been better to be slaves to Egypt." By doing so, they lost the right not only to fight but even to sing to Hashem as He prepared to save them, as Moshe declared: "Hashem will fight for you, and you will be silent." Only the self-sacrifice and belief of entering the sea enabled them to sing. As we say in tefilla: "A new song sang the liberated on the shores of the sea."
In our generation, which is one which put its lives on the line many times, let us pray that we will merit to sing the song of ultimate redemption.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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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.
