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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Moreshet Shaul
We should admit that socialism has more in common with Israel than with other nations. The concept of equality among people was developed amongst Jews, and it received practical expression in daily commandments to the point that it left a special place in the Jewish spirit, even for those who abandoned the practical mitzvot that developed the concept of equality. Pioneer spirit and self-sacrifice make a splendid page in Jewish history, and kibbutz life contains elements of Judaism, even when its members do not recognize this. However, the [continuation of kinship between Jewish practice and external philosophies] cannot last long. They take out things from Judaism without putting in [proper things within them]. They thereby waste that which was acquired during thousands of years, wasting power and beauty without replacing it by putting something else into the "treasure house."
A person can find his contentment by nullifying his personal interests and integrating his life with that of his community, with concern for communal welfare and social justice. This can make him feel fulfilled. He sees in himself a special uplifting, a certain lofty aspiration that he did not find by his father or grandfather. He saw them as those who pray in a set and rote fashion and act without thought but based on a certain book, like a table that was set by someone else. [He sees in himself something new and special.]
However, he is making a great mistake. A person does not receive things from that which is unowned. Even if an unowned area is full of precious stones, the one who gets them will have some sort of special connection to the area. [So too,] a person inherits his nature and his contentment from his forebears over many linked generations. In the final analysis, that which he sees in himself, he should not attribute to the purity of his spirit without regard to his forbears. If he indeed has something special about his character, he should recognize that this comes from the greatness of the spirit of his predecessors, who bequeathed it to him, sometimes even when it did not fully find expression in them. If one does indeed find something more ideal about his actions and his approach than in his father’s, he should realize that this just means that what was stored hidden in his father’s spiritual storehouses came to the surface in him.
However, the revelation of the positive characteristic can actually be a sign of death. As long as the spirit is involved in creation, it is hidden. When the wellspring of creativity is closed, the character becomes revealed. This is a sign that there is no activity and the spirit is living off that which was prepared in it in the past, and is thus wasting that which was prepared for him.
We will continue next time.
Moreshet Shaul (45)
Various Rabbis
13 - Moreshet Shaul: To Learn and to Be Happy – part II
14 - Moreshet Shaul: Inability to Pass on Abandoned Tradition – part I
15 - Moreshet Shaul: Inability to Pass on Abandoned Tradition – part II
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Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Members of the Nation Who Are in The Fields
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 95 (from 1942)
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: To Learn and to Be Happy – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 27
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.
