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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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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.
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.
