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We would, though, like to present a third approach, taught by the Vilna Gaon and disseminated by his disciples. The Gaon posited that the order in which the occurrences are presented is the proper way to understand the matter. Chronological order is irrelevant because time is a function of the physical world and is irrelevant in the spiritual world. The idea that the spiritual world is beyond time is behind the written spelling of Hashem’s Name, which includes hints to past, present and future.
One of the Gaon’s principal disciples, Rav Chaim of Volozhin (Nefesh Hachayim (I:6)), developed the connection between sin and sanctuary, which exists from the beginning of humanity. When Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden, they enjoyed a perfect existence, in which there was a clear separation between good and evil (but with free will). After the sin, mankind fell into a spiritual intermingling, in which the path to tikkun (repair) is much more complicated. More than 2,000 years later, an entire community – the Nation of Israel at Mt. Sinai, at the revelation and receipt of the Torah – succeeded in returning to the status of "original Adam" (including the male and female) before the sin. However, the Golden Calf threw the nation back into the post-sin state the world had lived through. Thus, the presentation of Mishkan, sin, Mishkan, aptly represents the spiritual roller coaster. This also explains why the details were retold as well as many of the differences in the presentations.
The same approach can help us appreciate the matter of the Tablets and the Ten Commandments. The Torah presents two versions of the Ten Commandments, one before the Golden Calf (in Yitro) and one (in Vaetchanan) that was given after the sin. The break of the sin explains both the existence of two versions and some of the differences, which reflect the lower spiritual level. The differences between the Tablets, the material they were written on, who wrote them and how, and possibly how the writing appeared, can also be explained along these lines.
What is the point of the higher spiritual level if it was destined to be so fleeting? The process turns the story of Hashem’s revelation in the world into a recommendation of living life with a desire for spiritual improvement. The ideal state sets a direction toward which we shall travel. All of a Jew’s life is spent with a desire to "repair the world toward the Kingdom of Hashem," to be accomplished on the personal and national level. This is in stark contrast with a life focused on physical desires. The Vilna Gaon’s approach gives spiritual significance to material life, which we hope to repair.
This principle also helps us deal with crises, which usually come with a desire to repair what is awry, a desire that is a foundation of a healthy life.
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.
