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The usual translation of "tamim" is "simple;" (as usually found in Hagadot, the Tam is the "simple" son). But the standard dictionary defines the word "simple" as "foolish or gullible," as in the children’s poem "Simple Simon," where, among other things, the silly Simon collects water not in a pail, but in a sieve where all the water leaks out. Is it feasible that one of our Jewish children would be "simple?!"
Surely the Torah means something else.
Our Sedra contains the prohibition of seeking out astrologers or fortune tellers who claim to know the future, or say they can predict what times are fortuitous, & what times are dangerous. We are not allowed to employ their services. But there is a dispute between Rambam & Ramban as to what we should do if a bona-fide astrologer comes to us & warns us of some impending danger.
The Ramban says we must heed their warning, based on the verse, "And you should not test Hashem your G-d;" inferring that perhaps G-d sent this person to us & we should "play it safe" by listening. But Rambam sternly disagrees. "All these people are phony," he warns, but even if they somehow do know something, you should rely only on Hashem, & he then quotes our pasuk, "Tamim tih’ye im Hashem Elokecha." (Of course, help from legitimate sources, such as doctors – like Rambam himself - would not only be permissible, but mandatory).
The Torah uses the word "tam" in reference to two righteous individuals, Noach & Yakov: "Noach ish tzadik, tamim haya b’dorotav;" & "Yakov ish tam, yoshayv ohalim." What, if anything, connects these two disparate personalities?
I want to suggest that both Noach & Yakov, perhaps more than anyone else in all the Chumash, endured immense trials & tribulations. Noach saw the entire world destroyed, & then was cruelly abused by his own child. Yakov was forced to leave his home at a young age, lost his beloved Rachel suddenly, & then had to deal with the (apparent) death of his favorite son. How could any normal person survive these terrible traumas? How can WE survive our own traumas, G-d forbid?
The only way is by remaining a "tam," by placing all our trust, all our hope, all our fear & anger & despair in G-d. Where education & erudition end, Emuna begins; that is the time when sophistication must give way to simplicity and with it, hopefully, serenity.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
