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He shall read from [the Torah] all the days of his life, so that he will learn to fear Hashem" (Devarim 17:19). There is no amount of time that we can say suffices to learn all the Torah that we should. The study that we need to pull out of ourselves cannot be given a set amount of time, small or large. We require concentration all the time, our entire lives – no less than that. Studying partially, sometimes, cannot bring us close to the goal. Learning to fear is a course of study for one’s whole life, not just for simple people but even for the greatest of people.
There are two types of fear, one is desirable and one is undesirable, and both are found in our parasha. The fear of G-d is desirable and needs to be studied, not for a matter of hours but for one’s whole life. The undesirable type is the man who is too afraid to take part in battle (ibid. 20:8). Just as we are to toil to acquire the first, we are to toil to remove the other. The two are also contradictory, and the stronger the positive one is, the weaker the negative one becomes.
"Who are you that you should be afraid of a mortal man?" (Yeshayahu 51:12). Negative fear does not appear only at the time of war, but in peacetime too. Most of our actions are motivated by our great desire to escape things that scare us. The gemara (Menachot 103b) says that the collapse of confidence at the time of "divine rebuke" refers to "one who has to rely on the baker." We are always afraid. What will we eat tomorrow, the next day, and later in the future. This feeling is the doing of the Satan. A person wants to know he has shoes for seven years when he does not know he will be alive for more than seven days. This makes the Satan laugh at him.
We are afraid of that which is distant and that which is near, lest they put pressure on us and infringe on our lives. A baby can be born on the other side of the world, and we feel it can take something away from us in the distant future. It turns out that we toil so much for that which we do not need, but just to have as extras – nice clothes, fancy drapes, etc. All of that difficult work is just because of what others might say. This is a fear of a mortal person.
The Torah instructs us to not be intimidated by people, and this gives us the mindset of a free person. The Torah writes about a king that he should learn to fear Hashem. The gemara (Horayot 11a) describes a king as one who has no one "above" him other than Hashem. Bnei Yisrael are called "the sons of kings," so this should apply to the nation as a whole. Whoever does not internalize fear of Hashem will be afraid of a falling leaf. Only the proper fear is what will give us a firm backbone. If we lower our posture before Hashem, we can stand straight before others.
"He who is afraid and has a weak heart" regarding going to battle refers to fear of his own sins (Sota 8:5). Someone who is disrespectful to his Maker and does not see Him as the Master will acquire for himself hundreds and thousands of human masters.
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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