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When it comes to matters which are subject to rabbinic dispute, the pious individual will follow the more stringent position and sway clear of all doubt or discrepancy. However, it is precisely here that a truly pious person must be on guard. He must be careful that his stringent practices do not lead him to belittle rabbis and Torah scholars who rule leniently, nor those who rely upon these lenient authorities.
A person's own stringencies are only matters of piety, but the prohibition against belittling Torah scholars is an actual and serious transgression. The difference between an ordinary and a top-rate ("mehadrin") kosher permit generally lies in a rabbinic dispute; belittling Torah scholars, on the other hand, is a full-fledged Torah prohibition. True piety calls for honoring all rabbis and venerating them, because honoring them is like honoring the Torah itself.
Pathways in Personality Development (52)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
42 - 42. Fitting Admonition
43 - 43. Cautiously Stringent
44 - 44. Tales of the Sages
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R' Tarfon said, "I was once walking along the road and I reclined in order to recite the 'Shema' in accordance with the opinion of the school of Shammai, thus exposing myself to the danger of robbers." They said to him, "You deserved to come to harm for acting against the words of the school of Hillel" (Mishnah, Berachot 1:3). They said this even though R' Tarfon behaved stringently in accordance with the school of Shammai.
Rabbi Moshe Chayim Luzzatto explains that there was a great dispute between the schools of Hillel and Shammai, and it was very trying for the Jewish people. Eventually the dispute ceased and it was decided that the law would follow the ruling of the school of Hillel forever. The existence of the Torah depends on this ruling remaining in effect forever and not losing its strength in the slightest, that the Torah not be split in two, Heaven forbid.
According to this Mishnah, then, the more pious path is to abide by the ruling of the school of Hillel. Ramchal concludes, "This should serve us as a guide to perceive the path where light resides with truth and faith for the doing of what is just in the eyes of God."
In the days of R' Kook, the Rebbe of Gur visited the land of Israel. These two rabbis met, R' Kook and the Rebbe of Gur, and during their meeting some untithed fruits of the Land of Israel were brought before the Rebbe of Gur in order to give him the privilege of separating terumot and ma'asrot (offerings and tithes).
R' Kook said to the Rebbe of Gur that because it was the first time he had ever fulfilled this commandment, he should bless "she'hecheyanu." The Rebbe, however, was of the opinion that he should not recite this blessing. They deliberated this matter for some time, and finally the Rebbe of Gur said, "If the Rabbi of Jerusalem says to bless, then this is what must be done," and he blessed "she'hecheyanu." This, then, is an example of true piety.
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.
