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Targum Yonatan applies the prohibition to all of the nation’s leaders because having too many horses causes haughtiness, decreased involvement in Torah, and, ultimately, the need for exile, including to Egypt. Rashi explains that when a king looks to obtain more horses, he sends officials to Egypt, and that is forbidden. The Ramban argues, citing the Yerushalmi, that it is actually permitted to visit Egypt on a commercial mission.
Therefore, the Ramban, like the Rambam, views obtaining too many horses and living in Egypt as independent prohibitions. The Sefer Hachinuch (#499), though, follows Rashi’s approach that avoiding Egypt is the rationale for the prohibition on horses.
In Tzofnat Yeshayahu (pp. 99-101), I humbly proposed another approach. This matter is a lesson in running an independent Jewish state (of which a monarchy is just one form). The defense of the country should be based on an army of reserve soldiers, not a giant standing army. Chariots and cavalry represent a standing army because only a professional army, which trains constantly, can effectively operate such forces. They need to maintain a high level of proficiency and keep in constant connection with the specific horses so that they respond properly in battle.
A standing army has many detriments. It requires a large budget to maintain because an army is not economically productive and its upkeep and equipment is very expensive. To find the money for this purpose raises the issue that the king must not amass gold and silver (ibid. 17). Establishing a large, equipped army also detracts from one’s reliance on Hashem and even belief in Him. Yeshayahu decried this, even in the time of the righteous King Chizkiyahu: "On horses they relied and trusted their chariots and their cavalry, for they were immense, and they did not turn to the Holy One of Israel, and did not seek Hashem" (Yeshayahu 31:1).
Also, developing a close "relationship" with one’s horse likely impinges on the time and interest necessary to raise a normal family as well as to connect to the elders of his community and tribe. We would add that almost every army has an atmosphere that is less than morally inspiring. On the whole, serving in an army is an almost assured recipe for spiritual deterioration, which only choice people can overcome. Even in our days of easier transportation, it is still difficult to serve in the standing army and maintain an ideal family and spiritual life. It is only with a strong spiritual background and strong foundations that one can ensure spiritually successful service in the army.
Therefore, officers in the regular army, including graduates of yeshivot hesder and mechinot k’dam tzvai’ot, deserve our great thanks for the sacrifices they make, in these regards as well. May their sacrifices remain only in the realm of preparedness and may they not be needed to fight in the near future.
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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.
