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Indeed ma’aser sheni gives incentive to come to Yerushalayim, but why do we need incentive after the Torah commands us to go there for three festivals every year (see Shemot 23:14)? One can claim that the existence of ma’aser sheni encourages those who are exempt from the mitzva to join the rest or to give an incentive that aids compliance. However there appears to be more to it than that. The Torah adds that one will learn to fear Hashem all the days. What is that hinting at?
One possibility is that a person who has a lot of produce will come early and/or stay after the regalim in order to finish everything. However, even that extension would cover more days but not "all the days." The Sefer Hachinuch (#360, regarding the related mitzva of ma’aser beheimah eaten in Yerushalayim) explains that there can be so much to eat that a person will be encouraged to set up a second residence to take full advantage of the situation. Furthermore, a family or a town is likely to send one of its own to Yerushalayim to learn from the kohanim and levi’im and be supported from the extra produce. After becoming an expert in Torah and fear of Hashem, that student turned scholar would spend a lifetime strengthening the religious level of his relatives and neighbors.
Rav Saadya Gaon may hint at another approach. The Torah reference to learning to fear Hashem all the days could mean that the intensive religious experience keeps one inspired for the long term. Yet, R. Saadya explains that one "will learn to serve Hashem all the days." What does the service have to do with the fear of Hashem or "all the days"? Although one who comes to Yerushalayim and sees the religious elements of the city is awed, that may not teach him lessons that are applicable to his day-to-day existence far away from the Holy City. However, eating his produce within the context of holiness teaches a lesson that the mundane can serve holiness. This service of Hashem can be applied all the days in all places.
Indeed, long-term exposure to Torah and holiness can enable one to influence his surroundings on a permanent basis. Yet, even short-term learning with the right approach can provide a permanent message of how to view all of one’s activities.
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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.
