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Beit Midrash
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- The Life of Tzaddikim
- Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu
"Please," Rabbi Eliyahu said with a smile.
"So," the director began, "why does a person who asks a rabbi a halachic question have to act according to what the rabbi tells him?"
Before Rabbi Eliyahu had even gotten more than a few words out, the director interjected, "Don't rabbis make mistakes sometimes?"
"Of course," Rabbi Eliyahu answered. "Everyone can err. But it's still worthwhile to listen to a rabbi, because he often has a broader perspective and a deep base of knowledge on a topic, and he can see and know things a regular person doesn't."
The director's face clearly betrayed his dissatisfaction with that answer.
Rabbi Eliyahu continued, "Even though a person has free will, it’s a good idea to seek — and heed — the advice of a rabbi, rather than acting arbitrarily."
The director wouldn't let it rest. "But why is someone obligated? I don't understand. Let the rabbi say whatever he says and the questioner do whatever he wants."
Rabbi Eliyahu just smiled. "Wait. You'll soon understand."
The next stop on the tour was at the control tower. "This control tower is the height of a fifteen-story building," the guide informed the group. "The air-traffic controllers sit at the top, supervising all the take-offs and landings."
The group looked out the windows that surrounded the room. The runways were spread out on the ground below. "The air-traffic controllers use the height and the wide field of vision to see all the planes taking off and landing. The pilots can only see what's right in front of them, so they must follow the instructions of the air-traffic controllers, of course."
Rabbi Eliyahu turned to the airport director who had just been asking him questions. "Let's imagine a pilot sees a clear runway and requests permission to land, but the controller denies the request. Instead, he sends the pilot to a different runway. Can the pilot ignore him, do what he wants, and land on the first runway?" Rabbi Eliyahu asked.
"G-d forbid!" the director cried. "The pilot has to listen to the directions of the controllers. Their perspective is much broader. They see and know things the pilot can't possibly see from his position!"
"Listen to your own words, straight from your own mouth," Rabbi Eliyahu responded with a smile.
Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu The Path of the Righteous is as the Light of Dawn
From the book The Father of Israel
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
