YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Bo
The above principle can explain phenomena in human behavior. Sometimes we find ourselves - on a personal, social or national level - dealing with figures who, although reality slaps them time and time again, insist on dragging us into the abyss along with them. These figures are not persuasive in the short term.
The people of Israel do not try to persuade Pharaoh. Dictators do not volunteer to give up their power. What can be done? We just have to buckle up and move forward and "pass" over those who curse. One must struggle on a practical level, of course, but on the psychological level there is no need to be moved by the cries of crisis of a manipulator, a compulsive society or (extremely vocal) minority threatening a "civil war". When the objective reality is good and clear, going on vacation is primarily our own mental health decision. For example, block the phone number of the harasser; ignore internet trolls; don't waste time watching media with an agenda - and see that these figures just disappear from your life. Imagination inflates the bondage much more than it really is. Free yourself from the inflated and missed opportunities, extract the maximum [play on the word "matzu", related to matza] from the point of goodness around you, and see how easy and simple it is to go to freedom.
Rabbi Haggai Lundin
Family and Society There Will Not Be A Civil War!
(Told to the students of the Hesder Yeshiva in Holon)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
