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Beit Midrash
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- Moreshet Shaul
Torah is study, and study is a matter of intellect – what does intellect have to do with a specific place? A halachic decision is always made according to intellect, as we see from the following sources: "These are nothing but words of prophecy" (Eruvin 60b; this is a criticism); "[Torah decisions] are not in the heavens" (Bava Metzia 59b); "From this point a prophet is unable to bring us any new ideas" (Yoma 80a); "We do not pay attention to that which is heard from a heavenly voice" (Berachot 52a), etc. If so, why should an intellectual decision be connected to a specific place? Yet, it is!
If someone tells you there is wisdom in Edom, believe him, but if he tells you there is Torah in Edom, do not believe him (based on Eicha Rabba 2:13). Wisdom teaches how to do things, but Torah teaches what to do. Wisdom does not tell one what to want, but its job is to show how to bring the desired matter to fruition. Thousands of years of scientific development changed how war is waged, but it has not changed the purpose of waging it.
Who is a gibbor (brave and/or strong person)? Wisdom does not have the answer to this question. Therefore, the answer that existed thousands of years ago, "one who captures a city" (see juxtaposition in Mishlei 16:32) still exists. It is just that once, they used primitive actions, and now they have become more sophisticated. The purpose has not changed, as the point of departure is still to seek personal pleasure. Moral development has not fully kept up with the development of wisdom, and therefore, not only has wisdom not improved matters but it has, to the contrary, improved the means of causing destruction compared to that which primitive man used, and turned it into something that can destroy the world.
The Torah came to change the point of departure – "Who is a gibbor? One who subdues his inclinations" (Avot 4:1), and, actually, himself. This is a "Copernican revolution," which the Torah invented.
The nations of the world claimed: "What is written [in the Torah, that we may decide to accept or reject it]?" (Mechilta, Yitro 5). Interestingly, those things that prevented them from accepting the Torah (the prohibitions of stealing, adultery, and murder, respectively) are laws based on logic. The nations of the world, especially pagans, have "ritual laws," and our commentaries connect some of our mitzvot to an attempt to distance us from their "religious practices." Thus, even some of our chukim (mitzvot that defy logic) actually have reasons, but the chukim of the pagans, who started the practices we need to counter, have no reasons. People are happy to accept chukim providing that it does not force them to change their plans. A murderer is willing to accept anything, even to be killed himself, as long as he is not prevented from murdering others. Everything else is fine for him.
His mistake is that Torah is truly Torah only when it leads him in a way that includes changing his essence. Only Israel understood the value of the Torah and accepted it, which is why we have Torah and Edom does not. The more we see the results of wisdom (ed. note- the address was in the midst of WW II), the better we will understand the value of the Torah and the more we will thank the Master of the Universe for his good present and the eternal life He has planted in our midst.
Moreshet Shaul (44)
Various Rabbis
8 - Moreshet Shaul: Responsible Innovation in the Oral Law
9 - Moreshet Shaul: Responsible Innovation in the Oral Law To Learn and to Be Happy
10 - Moreshet Shaul: Fortunate is the King Who Is Thus Praised in His House
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Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Character Refinement – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p.154
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Inability to Pass on Abandoned Tradition – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 733 (1937)
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Discipline in Informal Education – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 168-170
Harav Avraham Yitzchak Hacohen Kook Weren't Rav Kook's Positions Unique Among Rabbis?
Translated by Hillel Fendel
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
