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Beit Midrash
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- Igrot Hare’aya
Recipient: A young Moshe Zeidel. A close disciple of Rav Kook, from their time in Boisk, he asked Rav Kook many philosophical questions. He would become Dr. Zeidel, a philologist, philosopher, and educator.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
62 - Questions about Torah Accounts of Creation – part I
63 - Questions about Torah Accounts of Creation – part II
64 - View of German Jewish Education and Prospects for Prized Disciples
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The Jewish people had to work very hard in dealing with idol worshippers, to explain that although creation was vast, it is wrong to view man as not significant enough for the morality of his actions to make a difference. Rather, the creation of man, who has the potential for morality, is more significant than that of quantitatively greater creations. It is difficult to engrain this point in the minds of man while at the same time preserving the internal recognition of Hashem’s honor. The latter is the greatest foundation for the completion of the level of mankind and creation in general, in the present and for eternity, in a life of physicality and spirituality. All of this toil was needed to fit within man’s small heart the image of the greatness of creation and lowliness of man along with the greatness of the "Hand of Hashem" and His loftiness above and beyond the value of creations.
What would have been if [thousands of years ago] man would have known about all the worlds that existed? Then man would have seen himself as nothing and would not have taken his moral responsibilities seriously and seek to be a living thing that strives for greatness. Only now that mankind has succeeded in seeing his potential for greatness, it is no longer upsetting for him to understand the sheer numbers of things that were created.
To achieve all of this required time and preparation, with imagery and with stories, whether those that follow from an intellectual view of creation or those that come from the revealing of the providence of Hashem as told by His prophets. They always needed to include the power that gives greatness to life and success in it. It would not have helped man to receive a set of truncated pieces of information to toy with like a young child.
When you contemplate that which I have explained, you will understand the importance of that which was revealed and that which was kept hidden. The means that Hashem employs to hide things are many and great, using the great divine brilliance of the Creator and wonderful advisor of the world.
If you adopt [in your inquiries in the academic world] the approach that I have explained to you, I am sure that, with Hashem’s help, you will not stumble. You will be successful within our nation; you will fear Hashem and fulfill his commandments, which is the purpose of man (see Kohelet 12:13). You will find joy in the greatness of Hashem’s name and in our nation’s great gift – to have a covenant that makes us a light unto the nations. We should merit to rejoice in the joy of the beloved Land and be able to speak about Hashem’s greatness in Zion and Jerusalem as nations gather to serve Hashem, when He brings salvation and grandeur to Israel from Zion. Hashem promised to give light from the secrets of the Torah, as Chazal point out that he already did for great scholars such as Rabbi Akiva and his colleagues (see Bamidbar Rabba 19:6, based on Yeshayahu 42:16).
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
P'ninat Mishpat Repercussions of a Sale that Turned Out Not Happening – part III
(based on ruling 83045 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Repercussions of a Sale That Turned Out Not Happening – part II
(based on ruling 83045 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Igrot Hare’aya Semi-solicited Advice to Calm Down Petach Tikva
#227 Date and Place: 8 Tishrei 5669, Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Maintaining a Friendship of the Spirit – #266 – part III
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook; Date and Place: 11 Shevat 5670, Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part I
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Excerpts of Letter on Shemitta – #289 – part II
Date and Place: 6 Nisan 5670 (1910), Yafo
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.
