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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Moreshet Shaul
If we see an unusually large flame, in a place where we are used to a normal, stable flame, we should assume that it is not good, but that it is a sign of catastrophe. There must have been an eruption – perhaps a storehouse of petrol caught fire. The great flame is a sign that in a relatively short time, there will be nothing left.
It is easy to waste resources that one did not toil to attain. It is pleasant to appear to be generous, on the account of others, but such a situation cannot last for long. A treasure house, even the richest one, must dwindle if there is no flow of new resources to replenish it and provide sustenance. There is a reason, of course, that pioneer spirit appears headed toward disappearing from the world. There is a reason that the writer who writes about a pioneer has to go back to heroes of the past, as we are running out of such people – the store house is diminishing.
The "worship" of the land and of physical work stems from the same pure simplicity with which the worshipper’s father would be excited when he prayed, "Because of our sins we were exiled from our Land." Ignoring one’s personal welfare and finding one’s essence in nullifying himself and embracing the life of the community occur because one of his forebears once left his wife, children, and possessions to travel to his spiritual mentor to "collect crumbs of clinging to Hashem." When one becomes ecstatic when dancing the Hora to the point of forgetting his senses, this stems from the forebear’s excitement when dancing at Kiddush Levana, from the joy of Simchat Torah, and from the delight in the rest-day of Shabbat. The modern contentment with justice and a life of honesty is an echo of the forebear’s prayers for a better world.
As long as the sublime feeling is still bubbling somewhere in the depths of the soul, such as when one remembers a Seder night with his father, or his grandfather’s crying during Tikkun Chatzot (prayer for the rebuilding of the Temple), or the holy atmosphere during the High Holy Days, or the joy of satisfaction on Sukkot, he can and will find excitement in that which replaces these memories in his present life. He "builds his gods" in the likeness of the service of Hashem that he lost. However, slowly, the memories fade. The purposeless festivities and dancing cannot create within him new strength. The chicken coup cannot take the place of the Temple and the reins of the plough cannot take the place of the straps of tefillin. The illusion must by force evaporate. If it will not occur to the first-generation pioneer, it will happen to his son. The son is born without knowledge, never experienced a Seder night, never got up for Selichot, and never trembled in anticipation of shofar blowing. He cannot reach back and have the ability to make new gods, because he does not feel a need for them, for he did not lose a connection to Hashem.
There is great disappointment among the previous generation’s intellectuals, as they are shocked by the emptiness of the new generation. A generation has arisen that does not find interest in a simple reading book. To them, football is as important as morning and evening prayers; it is a generation without yearnings, desire, or aspirations. They should just see the fruit of their leaving the Book of Books, which they disgraced in their interest in trying to build everything from anew, based on their foundations.
Moreshet Shaul (44)
Various Rabbis
14 - Moreshet Shaul: Inability to Pass on Abandoned Tradition – part I
15 - Moreshet Shaul: Inability to Pass on Abandoned Tradition – part II
16 - Moreshet Shaul: Members of the Nation Who Are in The Fields
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Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Introduction to Midrash Rabba – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 121
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Responsible Innovation in the Oral Law
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 61-62
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Connection between Talmid Chacham and Am Ha’aretz
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 665
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.
