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Beit Midrash
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We see then that in addition to the questions about the Land’s physical characteristics, Rashi understood that they were also to investigate spiritual matters, which confused the spies. How could such different elements coexist? In truth, not only must there be a "kingdom of priests," but also a "holy nation." The nation has foundations of the spirit, so that even when people are involved in agricultural work, it does not remove them from spiritual feelings. As long as a connection is maintained between the two elements, physical activities will not become mundane.
The spies scared the people: "They are stronger than we" (ibid. 31) [in the spiritual realm]. This is a mistake. It is true that when Israel deteriorates, it can be extreme, as the gemara (Sanhedrin 39b) says, "You [Israel] did not do like the most refined [among the nations], but did like the immoral among them." However, if our kingdom of priests has Torah scholars who fulfill their responsibilities, there is a way to emerge from these problems.
Recent events support the spies’ approach. We see estrangement not only from Sinai but from all the foundations of our past. It is not a struggle against a certain religious law, but a struggle to totally break from our entire history and create a new nation that does not want a connection to the traditions of its forebears or to spirituality, but to be assimilated among other nations and worry only about present concerns.
(Ed. note – This was written at a time when the effort to legislate liberal "basic laws" was beginning to take shape.) Talk of democracy is a facade for blurring our uniqueness and allowing doing whatever they desire. If there were a sincere concern for man’s human dignity, then they would treat those with spiritual philosophies better than they are. Rather, these people "cry about family matters," including their distress over children who decide to become religious. They are embarrassed of their lineage. We must ask: What has happened? Were the spies correct?
However, things are different than they appear. The anti-religious sentiment is a backlash to the teshuva movement, which shakes the hearts of those whose children rejected their teachings. This movement shows that the Jewish soul is not satisfied with the world’s vanities and physicality, but seeks elevation. Even if one is distant, he still is drawn to light and internal renewal, and to a holy atmosphere rather than games. This angers and scares the anti-religious.
We can understand this from a place of calm, confidence, and patience. Our patience does not stem from accepting the present situation, but in the confidence that we are in a process that leads to light. We do not need to fight but to be calm with the belief that "Hashem will fight for us" (see Shemot 14:14). What we see are, the last gasps of a movement that seeks to separate us from everything that is sacred, as it sees its wall crumbling.
"These started to cry, whereas Rabbi Akiva was laughing" (see Makkot 24a).
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts