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Beit Midrash
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One can claim that these three opinions relate to three periods in a person’s life. When one is young, and the world is before him, he steps confidently and with pride, and disregards that which stands in his way. He thinks he understands better and will be more successful; he will change how the world operates and will build a new society. He is like David’s armies.
As the person grows older, his illusions slowly dissipate. Instead of dreams of changing the world and society, he develops the desire to secure for himself a safe place under the sun, in this world. He needs his personal and family success, as he goes up to the mountain pass, which appears too narrow for someone else to be there (see Rashi ad loc.). He pushes and uses his elbows so that he can make it to the top of Bnei Maron.
This stage also passes, and a person’s decline ensues. His posture is no longer straight, his hair grays, and his eyesight deteriorates. So does the confidence, and the person becomes a weak figure, caring mainly about his health, food and tranquility. This is the stage of the flock.
We also say in the Yamim Noraim davening that we are either like children or like servants – there is no third possibility. The way the person acted in all of his stages is not necessarily what he decided, but what his human nature set out for him. The Rabbis say that servants prefer lack of accountability (Gittin 13a). That is what he wants, but he does not realize that he really is a slave.
However, if one is able to live his life as a child of Hashem, then he can switch the order of the stages. He can start as a sheep in the flock – docile, with fine attributes, accepting the dominion of those who are above him. Then he can make it to be one who climbs the mountain of Bnei Maron, trying to overcome his weaknesses, which, if he does, will ensure his success. Finally he is like a soldier in David’s armies – if there are challenges before him, he at least has weapons to use, in this case, relating to knowledge and good actions.
His old age will then not be an unproductive period, but rather, "the older they become the more wisdom they have" (Shabbat 152a). Whereas the body weakens, the spiritual powers increase, as the Torah says about Avraham, who was "coming with the days," which the midrash says meant he was progressing (Bereishit Rabba 59), in a different manner than the calendar on the wall progresses.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
