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Rachel Bat Asher
We have a son in his mid-teens who is busy with many activities: counseling in the local youth movement, assisting handicapped children, etc. We feel as if these activities very much detract from his studies, and we have spoken to him about this, but he continues. What should we do?
Answer:
When a young person is busy with positive activity, and gets pleasure from such activity, it is injudicious on the part of parents to force him to concentrate on studies. By doing this, they give him the impression that there is a contradiction between study and true virtuous behavior. This is liable to cause him to reach the conclusion that study, because it interferes with virtuous activity, is undesirable.
More generally, when a young person enjoys doing something, and force is used to prevent him from doing it, he perceives this opposing force as evil. By way of illustration, if during Chanukah some of the children in the community are going on a field trip, but in the Talmud Torah (religious, sometimes rigorous, grammar school) studies continue is usual, it is not right to force a child to go to Talmud Torah and miss the field trip. This will cause him to conclude that the Talmud Torah is wrong, for it prevented him from joining the field trip. This principle is all the more true in the case of your son, for he is not busy with field trips; he is busy with positive endeavors, such as counseling youths and helping the needy.
My first and foremost advice to you is to have trust in your son. Know that you are raising and educating him to choose the right path, and he indeed behaves in such a manner. (I know how difficult it is for parents to see their child grow, and to suddenly entrust them with the responsibility of choosing between good and evil.)
Once a sense of trust has been established, it is possible to go a step further. You may discuss the matter with him and point out that he is involved in two pursuits, both of which are important, and that at his age it is best to focus on studies, because this is not easy to make up for later in life. Conversely, the need and opportunity to perform kindness exists at all times and all ages.
I estimate that if you approach him with the suggestion to limit his extracurricular activities, not to stop them completely, and to devote this free time to studies, there is a good chance that he will acquiesce. I emphasize that it be presented as a suggestion, not a decision on your part. Broadcast that you trust his good judgment, his intelligence, and his sense of responsibility, and that he is certainly capable of making the correct decision.
In this manner you will make him aware of your trust in him and let him take responsibility for the decision. Young people are always happy when their parents treat them like adults. Your son will be able to accept your advice rather than dismiss it offhand on the grounds that you do not understand him. Of course, you must keep in mind from the outset that you will accept any decision he makes, even if it is not in keeping with your advice.
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Ein Aya, Shabbat 2, 240
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.
