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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Moreshet Shaul
The framework of an agricultural village has all of the advantages to foster the religiosity of its members, especially in the following realms – Shabbat observance, synagogue atmosphere, and educational institutions. The child who grows up in the village does not see a different type of life. He does not live in an exposed location. It is even more so in the Religious Kibbutz movement, where life is more firmly dictated by communal leadership than in an agricultural village. But even in a village, the community of members understands the framework and appreciates it.
However, it is also necessary to deepen the content. We have to inculcate internal emotion that stems from the soul. On Shabbat, we should look for ways to have the sanctity envelope rest. Admittedly, in the village, there are objective difficulties that can cause people to take their mind off of Shabbat, and this is a point in which a rabbi can stand in the breach.
In education, we need to provide the student with the excitement and the desire to continue his studies and especially his Torah studies. We have not been educating for excellence in Torah study. Youngsters who do not continue in a framework of Torah study naturally fall into "foreign movements." Then we have to ask: Will we have continuity in the village? Will the second generation be able to continue its image as a religious village? Under such circumstances, the framework is a disadvantage. In the city, every person stands on his own. He can make a framework for himself, including for positive things; in the village, the framework is general – will one be able to escape it [if it is negative]?
Regarding youth groups in the city, one has comrades, but there is not spiritual activity that strengthens the individual, and the framework of the village is missing. Having a membership card is not by itself an assurance that the member’s [ideals] will be preserved. In fact, he is exposed to the destructive "street" within his personal and communal life.
However, if the individual has problems in the city, the community has bigger problems there. The individual can take refuge in a synagogue, whereas the community has no support and reinforcement through mitzvot. In that way, the branch of the youth group in the city, loses its content and then eventually its membership.
Moreshet Shaul (48)
Various Rabbis
29 - Moreshet Shaul: Returning Torah to its Central Standing – part I
30 - Moreshet Shaul: Returning Torah to its Central Standing – part II
31 - Moreshet Shaul: Spiritual Self-Improvement – part I
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If a member of the community starts to falter in his mitzva observance, we definitely should not rush to remove him from the community. However, this is only when there is reaction to his actions, which gives hope for aspiration for improvement. Otherwise, it is a "disease that spreads throughout the body." Because of the question of how to react, the trust of the masses in us is weakened.
We have not succeeded in inculcating in the hearts of our members the love of and dedication toward the values of the Torah in cases where some scoff at these values. We have not succeeded in motivating the movement toward fulfilling the Torah. Not even one meeting of the secretariat was held to deal with the religious situation.
I present the following question: Isn’t the spiritual situation in the world such that it is possible [for us, the rabbis] to approach the members [of the movement]? [Are we not aided by] the open miracles that our eyes have seen? Have we taken advantage of the great momentum that has come with the upheavals of the time in order to strengthen the belief of the member?
We rabbis must go out in actions of "Torah advocacy" in a manner of a lightning strike. Three or four of us must lecture at one time on Shabbat in order to activate a branch [of the movement] with spiritual activity.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Introduction to Midrash Rabba – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 121-124
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: What Connects Us as a Nation – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 704
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Introduction to Midrash Rabba – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 121
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.
