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Beit Midrash
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The gemara (Shabbat 88a) learns from the pasuk "They stood at the bottom of the mountain" (Shemot 19:17) that Hashem held the mountain over Bnei Yisrael’s head. A related midrash (Shemot Rabba 42:8) implies that the nation’s response of "We shall do and hear" was not fully sincere. How could that be, considering that they received great praise and prizes for that statement (Shabbat ibid.)?
Hashem raised up our spiritual level in an unprecedented manner of "jumping up in levels," as alluded to by the pasuk "I carried you on the wings of eagles" (Shemot 19:4). This took the nation from the 49th rung of impurity to the highest level of sanctity and preparedness to receive the Torah. This occurred in a revolutionary manner, by the miracles and the divine revelation the people witnessed, especially at the splitting of the sea (Mechilta, Beshalach 3). This revelation left no room for doubters of Hashem. How could one refuse to accept Hashem’s Torah and mitzvot after seeing Him and His power in the most wondrous manner?! This is what was meant by the "holding of the mountain over their heads." It was not that they spoke insincerely "We will do and hear," but that since they were under the influence of short-term amazement, it did not have a chance to be absorbed fully in their long-term psyche.
Still, how did they reach such a lofty level? This is connected to the idea that the nation’s encampment at Sinai (where the people were referenced with a singular-form verb) was done with "one heart" (Rashi, Shemot 19:1). The importance of the unity is in the fact that every Jew has two sets of strengths: a special spiritual quality (segula) and the power to act properly. When we say that "A Jew remains a Jew even if he has sinned" (Sanhedrin 44a), this is a result of the segula. But this segula is powerful only when the people are interconnected and unified as a special society/nation. Then when all the parts of the segula join together, the process of life causes the spiritual power of Israel to show itself.
For that reason, only after the nation crossed the Jordan into Eretz Yisrael was the nation responsible for the sins of individuals committed privately (Sanhedrin 43b). Because the nation was one "body," when one limb is infected, the whole body feels it. On the positive side, when there is unity, the segula of the Nation of Israel shines with full brightness. Then one cannot stray from the way of the Torah because the nation’s natural power is connected to the fulfillment of the Torah. Thus, national unity makes a connection to Torah a definite fact. The national community will, sooner or later, return to full practice of the Torah to which it is connected.
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.
