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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Rosh Hashana
- Shofar Blowing
Description of the activity in the Heavens is impactful. "The angels move around quickly, and they are seized by trembling." Even about the pure angels it says, "If in His holy ones He does not believe…" (Iyov 15:15). It is hard for us to understand why the angels need judgment, but we can easily make the calculation: If they are concerned, then we, simple mortal beings, who pass before Hashem to receive our allotment of days for the coming year, certainly have reason to tremble. It is not only as individuals; it is also decreed how the different nations will fare, and "He will tell a person that which he spoke" (Amos 4:13).
But what is really going on? The realization of the judgment is impactful if one’s ears, eyes, and, especially, heart are open. However, if one’s heart is unmoved and he goes through life as if matters are progressing normally, and his emotions are fossilized and his mind is polluted, then the mundane infiltrates the holy Days of Awe. Then we need to ask ourselves: Do we not have any belief in our heart? Why do we not sense the gravity of the moment and the significance of Hashem’s decision in our regard? How can we be callous to the fact that our fate is being weighed on the divine scales?
The answer is that we certainly are Jews who are believers the sons of believers. There certainly is a hidden part of our hearts that is sensitive, but it is dormant. The noise of the tumultuous city, the Satan, who is the Evil Inclination, silences the fine emotions and even the "voice of Hashem," which is a weak sound of whisper. Let us call out like the captain did to Jonah amidst the storm (Yonah 1:6): "Why are you sleeping? Get up, and call out to Hashem!"
That is why there is the sound of shofar blowing, which is reminiscent of the shofar of Above. When the great shofar is blown, we are able to break the earplugs and pierce the shield of the heart. "Fortunate is the nation that has people who know how to blow the shofar." The weak sound of whisper is actually the sound of Hashem in the Heavens, and it is likewise the spark of the Jewish soul.
Let us hear it! Let us be aroused to do complete repentance!
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.
