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Beit Midrash
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- Moreshet Shaul
The power of Torah is great only to the extent that we feel that it was given to us and that we can be not only continuers but also initiators. Avraham did not have to undergo a trial such as being bound before he went to learn. But Yitzchak was different, in that he came to yeshiva because his father sent him, as a result of always being in an atmosphere permeated with the Torah of Avraham. He could not have taken the critical value out of his study as long as he did not personally undergo the great trial of the akeida.
The first students who studied in the yeshiva have already moved on, so what connection is there between those who are here and those who used to be? Why would one mention the years one studied in the yeshiva? We can deduce that the earlier students left us something of value. What they created still exists – a tradition and a mold. It is a tradition of consistency, a mold of reliability and close friendship. You new students came to something that had been prepared, and you are charged with the task of continuing it. The continuation can live up to this distinction only if it contains some of the "fragrance" of the beginning. In other words, if the yeshiva did not already exist, you would have been capable of founding it.
The main thing that pushed the founding class was the recognition that something important was being created – whether it was them as people or the institution. That is why people were careful about the details and there was concern that there should not be anything improper or "unhealthy." That is why there is a connection with those who followed, even after they left, and why they have concern about the "face of the yeshiva" even today. These are "the righteous within the city" (see Bereishit 18:24), whose activities are not limited to themselves but also their environs. It is not a chance get-together of friends, but an organic growth of a living thing, so that each part does its part. This is what we need in the future, as well, and you will be able to prove yourselves in this.
2. "The Torah taught us the proper practice – a person should not switch his innkeeper" (Rashi, Bereishit 13:3). One should show good manners toward an innkeeper even though he was only an innkeeper and even though the nature of the relationship is transient, until he moves on. It is even though the passerby does not leave an impact and others take his place. Sometimes, the visitor does not care what happens at the inn. It is still good manners to remember even one’s temporary abode, as he still received benefit from the inn and the innkeeper.
Perhaps the Torah was teaching that there is no experience in the world that is totally lost. Even if it was just in passing, you were there, and you probably left some "fragrance" of yourself there. Within those walls, something was received from the life that passed through. You left some part of your soul, and perhaps it is still "wandering there waiting to be fixed." Maybe it is still "clinging to the walls," making "fruit and fruit of fruit."
It is possible that you recognize that you had a feeling, a flutter of the spirit before it took a firm form. Perhaps you dreamed a dream and you thought it was just a dream, but the dream came true. It is worthwhile to return and remember, to see and compare.
Moreshet Shaul (48)
Various Rabbis
23 - Moreshet Shaul: Introduction to Midrash Rabba – part II
24 - Moreshet Shaul: Addresses to Students at Kfar Haroeh (1942, 1944)
25 - Moreshet Shaul: Discipline in Informal Education – part I
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Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Character Refinement – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p.154
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 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.
