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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Jewish Holidays
- Shavuot
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Naso
But it is often difficult to commemorate an event without having a special commandment or ritual associated with the holiday. Anniversaries of great events are not necessarily meaningful in the absence of special ritual or public programs. And the holiday of Shavuot did not provide us with any such commemorative program. As such, we are left with a certain feeling of frustration, a lack of true appreciation of the greatness of the day, and the eternal message of the holiday.
Naturally, customs have arisen that are associated with the day of Shavuot, that blend tradition and ‘halacha.’ Nevertheless, in the minds and hearts of Jewish people, eating dairy foods does not equal the crackling taste of Matzo or sitting in a Sukkah.
Since the Torah does not allow for randomness or lapses of memory or vision, as is generally the case with human beings, we must conclude that the structuring of the holiday of Shavuot was done purposely and with holy intent. The Torah never intended the holiday to be purely an anniversary or commemorative date of revelation, such as on Independence Day. Rather, it left the commemoration of the granting of the Torah at Mount Sinai as an open-ended type of celebration.
In other words, the Jewish people could make of it what they wish it to be. This reflects generally on the Torah itself. The study in pursuit of Torah knowledge is purposely left open-ended. It has no limits, and is not bound by time and culture, but is eternal and universal. Every generation and every Jew can add additional insight and knowledge to the existing compendium of Torah knowledge and study that has come before.
Even though the Mishna and the Talmud have long been edited many centuries ago, they are still studied in the world of the yeshiva in a manner that encourages new insights and new explanations, possible different analyses, and the encouragement of the development of the mind and creativity of the individual student. Therefore, the study of Torah is compared to an ever-gushing fountain of water that always provides new water to quench the thirst of different generations and even of different cultures.
As such, every day of the year, every time a Jew is engaged in the study of Torah, that moment becomes a new anniversary of the day of the giving of the Torah to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. Most anniversaries and dates of commemoration are limited to one event and one date alone, with a regular routine the rest of the time. However, Shavuot is a never-ending holiday, even though it is celebrated only one day of the year on the Jewish calendar.
Though we do not deny the desire of Jews, if they wish, to eat Matzo or sit in a Sukkah during the entire year, it is obvious that we do not do so, and that, in fact, we are prevented from doing so, for we are taught that one is not allowed to add to the Torah, just as one is not allowed to detract from a Torah commandment. We are commanded to study Torah every day of our lives, and not only on the day of its anniversary.
The Torah apparently wanted us to feel unfulfilled when the holiday of Shavuot passed, because in that vague feeling of unfulfillment lies the drive to continue the study and pursue of the knowledge of God and the holiness of Creation. Torah is referred to in our prayers as being the length of our entire day. Just as in many matters in life, we remain somewhat unfulfilled, and continue to try to achieve what we feel to be still lacking. So, too, does Torah demand of us to stretch our days, to make them warm and certainly more meaningful.
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.
