YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Va'etchanan
Last time we highlighted two p’sukim that demonstrate the centrality of hearing even above seeing. One is Hashem’s assertion that at Sinai we "heard the sound of words" instead of seeing pictures (Devarim 4:12). The other is from Tehillim (40:7-8): "You formed ears for me … then I said, I come with a book written about me."
We continue along these lines with ideas from Rav David Cohen (the Nazir). He cites the Spanish philosophers who were influenced by Plato, who preferred the sense of seeing (aesthetics) over the sense of hearing. In contrast, the Jewish scholars of the Mussar Movement preferred hearing to seeing, "because the heard word is more clear and clean." The Nazir cites also Rabbeinu Yona of Gerona (several Rishonim lived in this Spanish city) in Shaarei Teshuva, who says that "the eye is very important, but the ear is more important. " Rabbeinu Bachyei (Kad Hakemach 7) writes similarly and connects it to the halacha that one who makes someone deaf must compensate the person’s full worth (Bava Kama 85a). See similar opinions in the Yaavetz (Avot 6:2) and the introduction of Orchot Tzaddikim.
The Nazir explains that what makes these senses special is that they help one acquire intellectual matters, which make a person complete. This is in line with the pasuk in Mishlei (20:12): "The ear hears and the eye sees, Hashem did both of these," mentioning the ear first. A similar phenomenon is found in Mishlei 15:31, and in Shir Hashirim 2:14, it says "…for your voice is sweet," and only afterward, "your appearance is pleasant."
We started our discussion with hearing the voice of the one G-d, and we finish our discussion with the sweet voice of Am Yisrael. We will continue with those themes next week.
As we have mentioned in the past, both from a biological and a linguistic perspective, the ear has a connection with balance. When extreme people do not listen to each other properly, dangerous situations develop. There is a need to find a balance between belief in Hashem and belief in the special qualities of the whole Jewish nation, as the Rabbis teach us: "All of Israel has a portion in the World to Come."
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
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.