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It is traditionally accepted (ed. note – with noticeable change since this was written 80 years ago) that a woman’s nature is not to create new phenomena. She is not in contact with the new. All of her honor is inward (see Tehillim 45:14). However, she watches with great care and great insistence that which she is given – more than a man does. In many homes, the "fragrance of Judaism" has waned, but the women have still preserved it in their kitchens. That is where the woman is in charge, and that is where she prevents changes from occurring.
The gemara does tell a story of criticism of a woman. She was married to a holy man, and she would fasten his tefillin to his arm. When he died, she married a tax collector, and then she would fasten the seals of a tax collector (a frowned upon profession) onto his arm (Avoda Zara 39a). That is because her level of righteousness depends on the environs she finds herself in, which sets its imprint upon her. However, once the "imprint" is set, it remains forever.
This watchfulness is especially important in our times and in our [type of] community. We (Rav Yisraeli was the founding rabbi of the Kfar Haroeh, an important religious moshav) are involved in new forms of living, or actually in the renewal of a type of life that we lost and forgot as time went on. That which is new is attractive to the heart and exciting. It is a great danger that the new will be built to a great extent on the foundation of belittling the old, without remembering that the new has a leg to stand, a future, and value only to the extent that it is based on the old.
It is important for us to stress repeatedly the side of conservatism, which includes being careful and exacting about all accepted practices. I refer not just to being careful over halachic matters but even to be careful about matters connected to the customs of the Jewish People. Even those things that are called "yikhat em" (see Mishlei 30:17), things that our mothers were careful about, are valued like laws of the Torah themselves.
There are times when people are fooled into wanting to do an action that has great prominence from an external perspective, thinking it is better than that done in a more private manner. However, the outcome is of little-to-no value, and the impression it leaves dissipates quickly and disappears as if it never existed.
Chazal proclaimed: "We only try to strengthen those who are strong" (Psikta, Naso). Only those who are in tune with the idea of strengthening will benefit from the exhortations. For them, that which is done will not be lost but will give fruit.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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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.
