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As Phillippe flipped through the magazine, an article caught his attention. Two skyscrapers. Almost identical in height. It would take a good number of years to build them, but they would be the tallest buildings in the world.
Phillippe found himself mesmerized. He had to get to the Twin Towers. No matter that he was in Paris and the towers were to be built in New York. The as-yet nonexistent towers were calling him. And, as an experienced high-wire artist, Phillippe knew exactly what kind of encounter he needed to have with those towers.
It was no simple matter to bring his dream to fruition. A core team of dedicated assistants helped him with the planning. Phillippe flew to New York several times. He carefully studied the towers, their heights, their layout, the degree to which they swayed with the wind. He created fake identification badges, so that he and his crew would be allowed access to the roof, in the guise of contractors. He even rented a helicopter so he could get an aerial view of the towers.
After six years of planning, on August 6, 1974, Phillippe Petit accomplished the impossible. At 7:00 am, he sauntered out onto the cable that he and his team had suspended between the two buildings, 1,350 feet above the ground. In the course of forty-five minutes, he walked between the buildings eight times. As crowds gathered to watch the spectacle, Phillippe walked, danced, lay down, and even knelt to salute the crowd.
Phillippe’s Twin Towers stunt gained him world renown. He went on to give many other aerial performances, wrote a number of books, and continues to give lectures.
From a Torah perspective, is it permitted for a person to endanger himself in such a manner, in order to earn a livelihood?
Answer of Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, shlita:
A person is permitted to endanger himself to an extent, in order to earn a livelihood. (See Gemara Bava Metzia, 112a) Therefore, it was permitted for merchants to travel by ship, despite the danger involved. Similarly, it is permitted for window washers to be suspended by cables, in order to wash the windows of skyscrapers (assuming that all proper precautions are taken).
However, there is no halachic allowance to walk on a cable between the Twin Towers or other similar buildings, because it involves extreme danger for no practical benefit.
It seems that even a gentile is forbidden to endanger himself in such a manner. Just as a non-Jew is forbidden from taking his own life (see Bereishis 9:6), he is also obligated to refrain from endangering his life.
In summary:According to Torah law, it is forbidden to engage in dangerous acts such as this. There is no allowance even for the purpose of earning a living, and all the more so if it is not for financial gain.
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.
