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This reminded me of our sages who taught on these parshiot, that even though our fore-fathers in Egypt were not religious, even serving idols, they kept their Jewish identity and pride, not changing their Hebrew names, language & dress (Vayikra Rabba 32). Over 200 years, it's natural to assimilate to want to identify with the more respected Egyptians, but their nationalism brought about redemption, just as the secular Eliezer Ben-Yehuda & David Ben-Gurion's nationalism both caused and furthered our modern redemption.
Rav Kook points out that if secular Zionism won't reconnect with our original nationalism: the Tanach & the religious aspects of Judaism, "it will run out of gas" within 2 or 3 generations (Orot, p. 134). He writes that nationalism should be based on that which is unique to each nation, and by us, it's our Tanach, religion and history, our Holy Language & Holy Land (ibid, p. 64 & 164). We see today that the Hamas attack on Israel has reawakened many Israelis & Jews throughout the world to their Jewish identity. I personally have come across survivors & hostages of the Hamas attack who accepted upon themselves more religious observance if they will be saved. Statistically, most Israelis and Jews in general have moved to become more nationalistic, rudely awakened by Hamas and Hague, not to naively place our trust in our Islamic neighbors nor in the UN. In the present war, the IDF, always the best melting-pot of Israel, has successfully unified right and left, religious and secular (hopefully also Haredi), reminding us that Israelis really agree on almost all of the really important issues. The sadistic Hamas and their supporters have reintroduced us to THEMSELVES and to OURSELVES.
The smartphone generation has even surprised themselves with altruistic self-sacrifice and dedication that's probably even stronger than by their parents. Rediscovering Jewish pride & national identity, while going out to war singing the religious and national songs (and often even donning tzitzit), together with their religious comrades and commanders, this war has proven to be an important game-changer, to return to our original selves. Shabbat Shalom! Rav Ari Shvat (Chwat)
Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.
Ein Aya Practical Tricks How Not to Accept Gossip by Giving the Benefit of the Doubt
Ayn Aya, Shabbat v, 65
The Giving of the Torah When Should We Use Facts, Logic or Kabbala in Learning Torah?
Ein Aya Shabbat 4 7
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
