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On the other hand, all yeshivot close their doors from Rosh Chodesh Nissan, because cleaning for Pesach, like many mitzvot, is about "being religious" or G-dly, even if they don't get most of us to "feel religious". Similarly, when remembering to wait 6 hours, or stopping in the middle of a good joke upon remembering that it's Lashon HaRah, or even while observing Shabbat, often Judaism teaches that being religious is no less important than "feeling religious".
Once a Ba'al Teshuva called me about 15 minutes before candle-lighting, upon being informed that you're not allowed to play guitar on Shabbat. He somehow heard that I use music as an educational means, and figured I could "find him a leniency" for his religious predicament. He explained that as a follower of R. Shlomo Carlebach, his singing with his guitar is the spiritual climax of his Shabbat, and he was not willing to "take no for an answer". As Shabbat came closer, I had no choice but to starkly present his problem, and asked him, "What would you say if I told you that wearing a cross makes me feel more spiritual? I might "feel more religious", but it is the wrong religion!"
Similarly, often a sick person feels wrong when the doctor and rabbi insist that he not fast on Yom Kippur. Yes, it doesn't "feel religious" to eat on that day, but Judaism is based upon many G-dly actions (including saving life), many of which only activate our religious feeling upon learning the deeper or kabbalistic aspects of those mitzvot. Nevertheless, we "give G-d credit", that they are worthwhile and beneficial nationally, morally & spiritually even if at present we don't understand how brushing my teeth the right way on Shabbat makes me more G-dly. True, the Samaritans told me they will not eat on Yom Kippur or drive in an ambulance on Shabbat, and self-righteously tell us "we are more religious than you, and don't just observe mitzvot when they're easy!". On the level of a 5th grader, I could understand them. But a more knowledgeable Jew knows that when seriously ill, it's precisely MORE religious to eat on Yom Kippur or drive to the hospital or in an IDF patrol on Shabbat.
One of the major problems among many Haredim is their claim "we feel more religious learning in yeshiva than serving in the IDF". Again, even if I can sympathize with the rationale of that claim on some level, nevertheless after the halacha clearly states that every healthy Jewish man must actively participate when Am Yisrael is in danger, before worrying about "feeling religious", one should first "be religious". We are not Christians nor Samaritans, and rather than me deciding, we are better off letting Hashem, the prophets (who all went to war, e.g. Shoftim 5), the Talmud (Sotah 44a), Rambam (hil. Shabbat ch. 2; M'lachim u'Milchamoteihem 7, 4 & 5, 1) and Shulchan Aruch (Or. Ch. 329), as well as any rabbi who knows and appreciates the needs of the IDF, decide what is "more religious" when Am Yisrael needs combat soldiers.
Shabbat Shalom & Chag Same'ach!! Rav Ari Shvat (Chwat)
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
