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Beit Midrash
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Shlomo was less enthusiastic about the weather. It was one thing to watch from the window, or splash in puddles. It was another to have to walk home, after a long day of work, and be drenched by the watery gift. Shlomo stuffed his chapped hands into the pockets of his thin jacket. Only a few more buildings until he would be home.
Shlomo stamped the water off of his shoes as he walked up the steps to his family’s apartment. He wasn’t usually one to complain. He had a lot to be grateful for. He was young and healthy, and had managed to find a job that would allow him to bring in some grushim to support himself and his parents. Times were tough, and if not for Shlomo, the family wouldn’t even have been able to afford bread. He knew well that many neighbors of theirs weren’t as fortunate. He just wished he could be a little warmer on his walk to and from work.
As Shlomo opened the door, he spied his father’s coat hanging on a hook. Somehow, all the frustration that Shlomo felt boiled over, and almost before he knew what had happened, he began yelling.
"There’s a coat here, just hanging on a hook! Do you know what I go through, trudging through the rain to support this family? I know it’s Abba’s coat, but you just stay here all day, and I’m the one who has to go outside and work hard, so that we’ll have what to eat! Don’t I at least deserve a coat?!"
Startled by the sudden attack, Shlomo’s father was quick to respond at equal volume. "So you deserve my coat! What does that even mean? It’s my coat! You don’t deserve something that belongs to me already! Besides, I don’t stay home all day. How am I supposed to go to shul without a coat?"
Shlomo’s mother walked into the room just then. Despite the weather, or perhaps because of it, things were starting to heat up. It was time to take action.
"Why argue about this?" she interjected. "Both of you, go to Rabbi Aryeh Levin, and ask him what to do!"
The combatants were momentarily immobilized. They couldn’t help but agree that asking the renowned tzadik of Jerusalem to arbitrate made more sense than continuing to yell at each other. The father and son ventured out into the slashing winds, and headed toward the rabbi’s house.
Who should get the coat?
Answer of Rabbi Aryeh Levin, zt"l:
The story continues:
Rabbi Levin graciously invited Shlomo and his father inside, and listened attentively as Shlomo and his father presented their claims. Much to their surprise, Rabbi Levin didn’t issue an immediate ruling.
"Before I come to a conclusion, I have an assignment for both of you" the rabbi explained. "Both of you go home, and come back to me tomorrow with an argument for why the other person should get the coat!"
Left with no choice, Shlomo and his father returned home, each one lost in his thoughts. Now what was there to say in defense of the other side?
"My father gets much colder than I do. At his age, staying warm might even be a matter of protecting his health," Shlomo mused. "Maybe… he needs it more than I do."
"Shlomo works so hard for the family. He goes out in the cold, while I’m at home most of the day," Shlomo’s father thought to himself. "Maybe… I was too tough on him when I yelled at him like that."
The next day, father and son returned to Rabbi Levin. Each one presented their arguments as to why the other person should get the coat. Rabbi Levin smiled broadly.
"After carefully listening to both of you, I’ve decided," Rabbi Levin paused. "I’ve decided that both of you need a coat!"
And with that, Rabbi Levin walked over to his closet, and took out another coat!
"I happen to have an extra, and it would make me so happy if you take it home with you," Rabbi Levin explained.
Shlomo and his father were speechless! They definitely hadn’t expected that verdict.
"Rabbi, we’re so grateful for the gift!" Shlomo’s father began. "But, but if you had an extra, why did you wait until today to give it to us?"
"I couldn’t have given it yesterday," Rabbi Levin patiently explained. "If I had, the two of you would have argued over who gets the new coat. Now that I see that both of you are thinking about each other, I know that I can give you the coat, and you’ll peacefully work out who can have which coat."
(From the book Tzadik Yesod Olam, page 76)
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.
