YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Pathways in Personality Development
- Enjoying Life
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Hana Bat Haim
Pious abstinence consists of three main ingredients: abstinence in the realm of pleasures, abstinence in the realm of laws, and abstinence in the realm of conduct.
We have already explained that abstinence in the realm of pleasures means refraining from superfluous worldly matters except where necessary. This includes foods, clothing, outings, as well as cohabitation. All of these matters call for pious abstinence from overindulgence, guarding the boundary between that which is necessary and that which is not. Pleasures must be channeled into conduits which involve fulfilling a mitzvah (commandment), like Sabbath, Festivals, or mitzvah-related celebrations.
Enjoying Life (2)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
1 - 27. Abstinence and Permissible Pleasures (Cont.)
2 - 28. Types of Pious Abstinence
Load More
Our sages of blessed memory explained the statement of Ezekiel (4:14), "My soul was not polluted" in the following manner: I did not eat of an animal about which a sage had to make a decision, even if it was deemed kosher. Because a question arose regarding its status, I refrained from partaking of it. Neither did I eat the flesh of an animal that had to be slaughtered quickly because it was in danger of dying. Even though it was permitted by law for consumption, I preferred to be stringent and distance myself from a possible transgression.
And Mar Ukvah said (Chullin 105a): My father, if he would eat meat today, would not eat cheese until tomorrow at the same time. But I am to my father as vinegar derived from wine, for I separate between meat and milk by one intervening meal.
Though there is no law which says that a person must wait so long, Mar Ukvah's father was stringent with himself. From here we can learn that in order to be stringent, one must be on a fitting level. It is not enough to merely imitate those who behave stringently. Therefore Mar Ukvah did not behave as his father did in this respect, for he felt that he was not on his father's level.
If a person practices pious abstinence and upholds numerous stringencies without being on the proper level, he probably possesses arrogance more than he does true piety. One must ascend to the level of pious abstinence in a true and full manner, not superficially. Desirable abstinence involves a gradual ascension, not a simple renunciation of pleasure. It means becoming spiritually fulfilled, harboring love for God, the Torah, and the commandments, while at the same time not lacking physical pleasure.
Finally, there is abstinence in the realm of conduct: separation from negative company. This does not mean cutting oneself off from the world, for "a man's mind should always be associated with his fellow men" (Taanit 7a). Rather, a person should associate with reputable persons for as long as may be necessary in the interest of Torah study and good deeds. The guiding rule is this: proper abstinence is that which does not weaken a person's positive inner faculties. Abstinence which weakens these faculties is undesirable.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
