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Yaakov Ben Behora
However, there are exceptional individuals capable of ascending to extraordinary heights. Such people are able to demand more of themselves.
In general, people differ in character. Some possess greater spiritual capacity and hence more is expected of them. Pious abstinence befits such individuals. They are called upon to distance themselves not only from prohibited matters, but even from overindulgence in permitted pleasures. They are expected to make due with little and to train themselves not to be held sway by their baser inclinations. This, of course, does not imply renouncing necessities without which a person suffers or becomes weak. It is forbidden for a person to deny himself such things. Rather, we are referring to those things which are not necessities, things which it is possible to do without.
Enjoying Life (2)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
1 - 27. Abstinence and Permissible Pleasures (Cont.)
2 - 28. Types of Pious Abstinence
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We may bring an example of such behavior from R' Yehoshua ben Levi. According to Jewish law, if non-Jews lay siege on a Jewish town and say, "Give us so-and-so. He wronged us and he is hiding is this town, and if you don't hand him over we will conquer the city and kill you all," it is permitted to hand over the accused if he is a wicked person who deserves death. By so doing the entire town will be saved.
R' Yochanan taught that even if the accused is not wicked, if the non-Jews demand a particular individual, it is permitted to hand him over in order to save the town. In fact, there was such a case, and R' Yehoshua ben Levi went to the wanted individual and asked him to hand himself over in order to save the town. The latter heeded R' Yehoshua ben Levi's request and handed himself over.
Now, until this episode, R' Yehoshua ben Levi often experienced revelations of Elijah the Prophet. However, afterwards, Elijah stopped appearing to him. R' Yehoshua ben Levi performed many fasts until finally Elijah reveal himself again:
"I do not reveal myself to those who extradite their brethren" he said.
R' Yehoshua ben Levi replied, "But I only acted according to the law."
"Is this the law adopted by the pious?" said Elijah. True, you acted in accordance with the law, but this is not proper conduct for a pious individual like yourself, and you should not have been involved in handing over the accused.
There are rules of legal conduct and there are rules of pious conduct. A person who is fit for such is called upon to accept the rules of pious conduct. Pious abstinence is not for everybody, but those unique individuals who are able to behave in such a manner have an effect on everybody. Through them the entire population is uplifted.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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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.
