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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Igrot Hare’aya
Body : Regarding your request for advice about strengthening service of Hashem with joy and strength, it is very difficult to clarify succinctly any element of such pure service. The entire motivation I can give for myself and those like me is to set serious amounts of time for study of all applications of the spiritual parts of the Torah, which must not be relegated to a "quiet corner," to be read in passing. [If we study it properly,] the light of the soul will shine, and a spirit of joy and strength will be beat in the heart of one who seeks pure truth. I can, though, tell you one major rule, which takes intensive study to understand in its full depth. It also facilitates developing the desire to love Hashem and His holy Torah’s light.
Obviously, if you offer even the lowliest person to do an act of kindness for the entire world, in all its aspects of existence, he would be inspired with joy and strength to do good. Laziness and listlessness come because a person does not believe the level of good for the world that involvement in Torah, mitzvot, service of Hashem, and fine characteristics accomplishes. For this reason, Hashem brought light to our eyes through the words of the highest, sacred people, the experts in the true traditions (Kabbala). They removed the covers to inform us of the great impact of service of Hashem and the way to elevate all of existence, as a collective and as individuals.
However, we must relate the matter to intellectual perception to make the encouragement strong and the joy well grounded. This comes with understanding of the unity of spirituality, i.e., the light of every individual’s soul is connected to the all-inclusive soul of the universe, from which every element of existence draws the light of its completeness. Torah wisdom, mitzvot, service of Hashem, and good characteristics, which can be done at any time, add light to our souls. At this time, if we concentrate on the idea that we do not care just about ourselves but about all of existence, for "all that Hashem created is for Him" (Mishlei 16:4), we add completeness and life to everything.
This light adds vigor to a righteous person’s service and somewhat "sweetens" the evil of the wicked and gives him thoughts of repentance. Even animals become more refined, to the extent each is capable. Destructive creatures become gentler, due to the added aura of sanctity of the soul that intended to make an impact on the broadest level. Good actions with broad intentions clearly increase the light in the higher levels of souls and all the levels of the spiritual world, which are boundlessly beautiful and grandly holy. [Making this impact] is most proper for all members of the sacred nation. This is all the more so for those who live on sacred soil, especially those who merit to live in Hashem’s city, to which all existence in the physical and spiritual worlds are connected, like branches are attached to the trunk and roots.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
201 - Ties to Religiously Controversial Events/Organizations 1. #293
202 - Advice on Studying Spirituality – #301
203 - “Rulings” on Philosophical Matters? – #302
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The full impact on the universe is when members of His holy nation produce the light when they are elevated by living on Hashem’s soil. For this reason, the light of awaiting the ultimate liberation will always be connected to the life of the soul. When a flow [of life] breaks forth from the appropriate holy utterings, at opportune times, a new, pleasant light will appear, which will make harsh judgments "sweeter." Then, a person can pray broadly for all his desires, mainly the spiritual ones, but also the physical ones in a minor way. Hashem will not hold back good from those who walk in purity. One must be very careful, in natural ways, about the health of the body and spirit and avoid feelings of fear and irritability. He must train himself in the way of vigor and joy, as "Vigor and happiness is in His place" (Divrei Hayamim I, 16:27).
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
P'ninat Mishpat Payments after a Gradual End of Employment
(Based on ruling 82024 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
P'ninat Mishpat Who Breached the Contract? – part IV
Based on ruling 81087 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Igrot Hare’aya Semi-solicited Advice to Calm Down Petach Tikva
#227 Date and Place: 8 Tishrei 5669, Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Involving Baron Rothschild in Religious Efforts – #278
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook Date and Place: 14 Adar 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Worse on the Outside, Better on the Inside – #332
Date and Place: 26 Elul 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Ties to Religiously Controversial Events/Organizations 1. #293
Date and Place: Iyar 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya The Need for a Broader Education – #274
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook Date and Place: 8 Adar I 5670, Yafo
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Rabbis in Midrash
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
