[We saw the disagreement as to whether the Torah was given on the sixth or seventh of Sivan.] Everyone agrees that the Torah was given on Shabbat. It says [in the Ten Commandments], “Remember the day of Shabbat to sanctify it” (Shemot 20:7), and it says [at the time of the Exodus] “Remember this day on which you left Egypt” (ibid. 13:3). Just like there (at the Exodus), it took place on the very day described, so too here it took place on the very day [to which it applies – Shabbat]. What do they disagree about? About the day that was set as the beginning of the month.
That which it says in the pasuk (Kohelet 11:9), “Be happy, young man, in your childhood and let your heart make you feel good while you are single, and follow the paths of your heart and that which your eyes see…– until this point the pasuk is referring to the words of the yetzer hara (evil inclination). “… and know that Hashem will bring you to justice for all of these” From this point on are the words of the yetzer hatov (inclination toward good).
[In the previous story, involving R. Elazar ben Azarya’s cow, the implication is that he owned only one cow.] Didn’t Rav say that R. Elazar ben Azarya’s tithed from his flocks 12,000 calves every year?
The Importance of the State of Israel in the Writings of Rabbi A.I. Kook
part I
Why did G-d create Am Yisrael as a nation and not just a religion? Why, in addition to the mitzvot between individual Jews, and between man and G-d, does the Torah call for a framework of a national land, army, political system, and even coin?
Even a person who has many servants should try to prepare personally something for the Sabbath. R' Chisda would mince vegetables; Rabbah and R' Yosef would chop wood. Every person should make them his example, for honoring the Sabbath is a privilege.