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Beit Midrash
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- Moreshet Shaul
The older a talmid chacham (Torah scholar) becomes, the more settled his mind becomes (Kinim 3:6). The same viewpoint that started in his youth accompanies him into old age, without deviation and zigzagging, without failures and the need to repent. Rather the scholar started off on the right path and just became increasingly settled. Matters started as a first thought and then become increasingly confirmed. It starts off, "It should be correct because it must be," and it later becomes crystal clear. "And Yosef was in Egypt" (Shemot 1:5), about which the Rabbis says that he was the same Yosef in Egypt as he was in his father’s house (Shemot Rabba 1:7). Yosef in hard times and at the height of success was the same, because the truth is one and unchanging.
In this time (1985) of confused philosophies, it is good to find clear presentations, without cloudiness and doubts. [The book] answers two questions: How are we as a nation? What role does the [Zionist] movement have within the nation?
The Zionist ideology that guided the aliya to the Land from the beginning of the Zionist movement has put the stress on our cohesiveness as a nation, and as such, on our connection to the Land and everything that relates to it. Although this seems generally correct, it is unclear what the essence of this nationalism is. Are we united by our genealogical origin, and the rest is up to everyone’s free will? Are there other ways to coalesce? For example, perhaps language is critical. In Diaspora lands, we became fluent in the national language or some dialect of it, due to our having come from a different country, so we spoke some seventy languages.
Only the stubborn will deny the feeling of connection to others who are of the same origin, as a strong feeling that beats in the heart of the Jew. What else pushes a liberal American millionaire to be interested in Israel or to speak to his powerful leaders about obtaining the freedom of refuseniks in Russia? It is this connection that understandably pushes him to action.
But if this is it, is it not possible that in a generation or two this recognition will fade until it disappears totally? Ben Gurion once spoke of purpose and uniqueness, on the claim that the heart of a Jew beats with a deeper feeling of morality. But one must still ask: Does this feeling of being special give the power to willingly accept all of the difficulties the state needs to struggle with on a daily basis? What prevents the young man or woman from looking for contentment in other countries, especially those that are stable, rich, and secure?
We must add on to these questions. What is the image of our nation in its land if there is nothing constant that unites its members with our brethren in the diaspora? Consider especially that if somehow a peace treaty will be implemented, which is what we are looking forward to, will we not have intermarriage with a foreign nation? Then, there will be no unity left with the nation in the diaspora. These are thoughts that can drive us mad – it raises the possibility that the formation of the State of Israel, would not be one that solves problems, but that arouses bigger problems for our existence as a nation.
We will continue next time.
Moreshet Shaul (48)
Various Rabbis
18 - Moreshet Shaul: Connection between Talmid Chacham and Am Ha’aretz
19 - Moreshet Shaul: What Connects Us as a Nation – part I
20 - Moreshet Shaul: What Connects Us as a Nation – part II
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Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: The Ethics of the Torah
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 558
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Inability to Pass on Abandoned Tradition – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 733 (1937)
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.
