YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Family and Society
- Current Events
Why is this? Because when you look at the universe, especially the discoveries made in recent years, you discover its enormous and unimaginable size. Certainly that of one system such as our solar system, and most assuredly and definitely the size of the stars which surround us.
Even one constellation like the Milky Way, spanning a hundred thousand light-years, is inconceivable. When you go further and look even farther away, five million light-years away, you can see the local group of galaxies, thirty in number, which make up one group, and fifty million light-years away you can find another.
Thus, when you understand that there are billions of galaxies, each with billions of suns, and each sun has many stars surrounding it, and everything is organized and conducted regularly with unfathomable intensity, you are capable of a much more comprehensive view. If we think of the gravitational pull of merely one star system, and the enormous force that holds so many stars in one orbit, looking at it gives some proportion to God and His Power, far beyond our grasp.
The splitting of the Red Sea, with all its magnitude and intensity, was a specific, one-time event. When we look at what is close to us, it opens our eyes to see what is happening on the highest heights, and then we realize that to His Greatness and Prowess are incomprehensible. When you contemplate this, you literally see God, and this is called the Awe of God.
Texts of Jewish Thought Rav Kook’s Understanding of Secular Zionism - Part II
Rav Kook, Ma'amar HaDor 2
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.