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"The world shall be built with chesed (kindness)" (Tehillim 89:3). There is no ability for man or the whole world to survive without Hashem’s kindness. The word of Hashem, Who is in the Heavens but influences every living thing, all depends on chesed. However, there are two forms of chesed – a chesed that is connected to din and a chesed that is connected to rachamim (mercy). The chesed of din is greater than the chesed of rachamim. The latter does not elevate the recipient of the chesed. He remains a recipient, and the part of one who only receives is lowly. It is a tragedy for a person to have to "hold out his hand" to receive. Therefore, the kindness of this type of chesed is incomplete, as the recipient pays by being branded a recipient.
Chesed that is related to din comes to change a person from a recipient to a giver, from one who is influenced to one who influences, and from a creation to a creator. It is there to make a person a master over himself and for the whole world, to give man full autonomy and the ability to define himself.
Din is a matter of reality. When one gets something from Hashem based on din (i.e., deserving it), he becomes elevated to the point of being a creator. His actions are able to "fix worlds" or destroy worlds. Man’s actions take on special importance. "If he performed a mitzva, he moved himself and the whole world over to the side of merit" (Kiddushin 40b), and the same is true in the negative. "If the righteous wanted to, they could create a world" (Sanhedrin 65b). A person becomes free to act and responsible for his actions’ repercussions. All of creation becomes dependent on man. This chesed of din is more elusive and therefore more elevated. "Hashem was elevated with justice" (Yeshayahu 5:16).
"Say before me malchuyot so that you will make me King over you" (Rosh Hashana 34b). To the extent we can say this, Hashem’s kingdom depends on our words, for without our involvement, His Kingdom is incomplete. The foundation of chesed in the world does not shine as it could. When we do not act properly, we limit the Divine Presence in the world. The world is then not able to succeed based on din and becomes more dependent on rachamim, making man increasingly a recipient. He does not build and destroy worlds, and he loses his role in creation. Even during his life, he is considered like the dead (Devarim Rabba, V’zot Haberacha). He stops being a master of his own life and certainly for others, but he becomes like a slave. Only when we are connected to din can we invigorate the world with our actions, show the divine chesed, and give Hashem the most complete Kingdom we can.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
