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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Moreshet Shaul
A major difference between Israel and the nations is that Israel received the Torah with its spirit. In contrast, the nations received only the dry laws, which do not bring life to or nourish the spirit. The Torah did not become a drug of life for them but of death, causing death and destruction.
They accepted the laws as a revelation of a stubborn, strong power, to which one is compelled to surrender, as he cannot survive without appeasing Him and following His dictates. At the same time, Israel found in the laws their own internal qualities and spirit, and when they became united with this spirit, they became to some extent, the initiators of the laws. The commandments whose reasons are not known, received their true reason – the upper purpose that was placed within them. Therefore, their fulfillment is not done out of coercion, but willfully, not as an obligation but as a joy. "Serve Hashem with happiness" (Tehillim 100:2) was said about Israel (Tanchuma 58:19). The happiness works toward the service of Hashem and becomes part of it. This is impossible for the nations of the world, as is written, "Do not be happy, Israel, to joy like the nations" (Hoshea 9:1). Their service of Hashem is accompanied by sadness, a feeling of servitude, and limited activeness.
The difference is that Israel looks at mitzvot as an intrinsic goal. The Jew sees that the very fulfillment of mitzvot improves oneself and improves the whole world. In contrast, the nations see the mitzvot as ways to do Hashem’s will, which do not have a direct impact on the world.
Typical of the nations’ outlook is the expression, "The end justifies the means." There is a goal to which one aims, and to reach this goal everything is permissible. We, in contrast, convey intrinsic importance to the actions. When we posit that a good or bad action has a positive or a destructive impact, it turns out that the end and the means are the same. Therefore, the end never justifies the means. In any case, we never allow the end to justify [forbidden] means.
Moreshet Shaul (45)
Various Rabbis
22 - Moreshet Shaul: Introduction to Midrash Rabba – part I
23 - Moreshet Shaul: Introduction to Midrash Rabba – part II
24 - Moreshet Shaul: Addresses to Students at Kfar Haroeh (1942, 1944)
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Our good and bad actions have the power to improve and ruin just like our physical actions do. Our spiritual actions actually have broader impact than physical ones. When we have the opportunity to do something good, it should make us happy. We create and improve. When we lose an opportunity, it saddens, as a tool to bring much good for us and the world slips by.
This spirit is included in the Aggadic Rabbinical writings and is foundational to many halachot found in the Oral Law. This includes many rabbinical injunctions, to try to avoid the violation of a Torah law, by providing many protections. This stems from a recognition that the drug of life and of death is in our hands, so that we must be very careful. In this context, the element of doing that which one is required to do is particularly noticeable. Also, the fact that the Rabbis legislated something that the Torah did not command represents the highest level that the whole mitzva came for. Through the expansion of the mitzva, Israel reaches beyond the mitzva.
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 I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p.154
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Spiritual Self-Improvement – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 405-7 (from the 1930s)
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: 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.
