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Beit Midrash
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- Moreshet Shaul
The ways of Hashem served as a guide for Avraham, before the Torah was given (Bereishit 18:19), and it is the foundation stone of all the mitzvot of the Torah, "which are included in His actions" (Moreh Nevuchim 1:54). The general approach of imitatio dei (to imitate our Maker) finds expression in the mitzva to "go in all His ways" (Devarim 10:12), which Chazal tell us, means to cling to His attributes (Sota 14a).
These conclusions teach us: 1. The rules of ethics are permanent and immutable; 2. They do not arise from a need to deal with human frailty and tendencies, in which a person’s likes and dislikes are important. 3. They are based not on feelings, but on justice and absolute truth.
The relationship in the Thirteen Attributes between the elements of mercy and the elements of punishment (12 to 1) demonstrate that "the world is built on kindness" (Tehillim 89:3). Hashem’s attribute of strict judgment is intended to preserve the foundation of the world so that it will not get swallowed up by giving in to evil, which is liable to take control, if steps to curb it will not be imposed.
In this way, justice protects society from all deterioration and deviation. This is also our understanding of mitzvot, which require a person to discipline himself and firmly rule over his inclinations. Laxness and concession to the wicked and to evil actually aid them to take over and uproot the foundation of kindness, and it is the latter that must build the world.
The expectation that man "imitate" the divine is very ambitious. It goes beyond the accepted attribute of fairness, which is: "that which is mine is mine, and that which is yours is yours." The world was not built on the latter, for if so, the world would not have to be created, since everything is His and from Him.
Moreshet Shaul (45)
Various Rabbis
10 - Moreshet Shaul: Fortunate is the King Who Is Thus Praised in His House
11 - Moreshet Shaul: The Ethics of the Torah
12 - Moreshet Shaul: With Sason, Not for Sason
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Since this idea obligates everyone, we see that the purpose of giving is giving itself. "This is truly the form of man … if man lives for himself … and withholds everything for himself, this is the opposite of the way he was created" (Rav Yerucham of Mir). This is the way Hashem created the world, as this is the trait embedded in man since he was created in Hashem’s form.
This also explains the obligation to be holy, in the context of intergender relations. When one’s physical enjoyment is only for himself, this causes kritut (being cut off from the world). It does not matter whether it is for mitzvot between people or in relation to Hashem. Everything is focused on a single goal – uncovering man’s true form.
Just as the purpose of justice is to serve kindness, so too the purpose of kindness is justice, since its source is in divine truth, which does not stem from emotions. It is incorrect to claim that in the hierarchy of values, justice is on a lower level than love and kindness or that the two are on different planes. Rather, they are both on the same level – it is a matter of "This is what Hashem wanted" (see Moreh Nevuchim 50:13) or "So did His wisdom decree."
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Character Refinement – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p.154
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Addresses to Students at Kfar Haroeh (1942, 1944)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 238
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.
