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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Moreshet Shaul
The second path is from below. This approach also strives for the highest levels, up to the Heavens; however, it progresses slowly, step by step, level by level. One must deal with matters of little significance to clear the path. The various attributes are the enemy, and they prevent one from using outright war [against the challenges]. Every action needs to be checked for the proper balance; every thought that arises needs analysis. Throughout the never-ending war, preparations and the critical outlook pave the way for progress and ascension.
This way seems easier and shorter, but it is really very long. Every "piece of territory that is captured" by the restraining force of thought requires great toil, with effort that expends one’s strength and puts one in an atmosphere of sadness. In the meantime, he progresses along the path with small steps, in such a way that if he sleeps in the middle, years’ worth of toil can be wasted. This is because the effort does not change the nature of one’s spirit and invert it into [a more refined nature]. Rather, one tries to exert his plan for improvement "against the will" of his sentiments and have himself do things that are against what he would like. So, his spirit is imprisoned and looks for the right time to escape. Therefore, the work is dangerous and it requires vigilance.
Furthermore, because the final goal is not absorbed well into the spirit, it cannot serve as a catalyst for the effort to improve, and there is a lacking of a dynamic force to compel the spirit to act against its own will. For this purpose, the idea of struggle of inner forces was conceived. For example, one puts up the force of arrogance to counter sadness, and gives off the feeling that not everyone is involved in such things, as they are involved in fleeting matters. Even if he succeeds in taming the sadness, he then has to deal with a surge in arrogance which uproots the importance of other things and justifies all sorts of improper actions. Even the vanquished force escapes and waits in a "reinforced dark corner." Even an attribute [as bad] as hatred and lack of love for one’s counterpart claims justification [with the claim that it is good] to hate wicked people. This concept, which is relative, can expand to the point that it includes almost anyone. We therefore find that the type of person who is struggling to improve his characteristics has a sort of moral destructiveness that you do not find by others. Those who have moral agendas are likely to be very positive about people like themselves and experience hidden enmity for people who are not in their clique. The attribute that is well entrenched shows itself when it acts vigorously with the feeling of "permission [to do what it wants]."
For this reason, this approach was unknown among those who are learned. One who is dedicated to daily Torah study in depth and breadth could forget his existence for hours at end. When he would go out into the world and look in a weak manner, he would not find anything that brought him satisfaction. The constant "drinking from the sea of Talmud" creates and unsatiable thirst which cannot find an answer from anything that is outside the gemara. He would not be able to sin, as his path was paved on a path of sanctity from top to bottom.
When the hearts of the people of the generation diminished, and the Torah study became more superficial and did not take over the spirit, as the person’s essence remained elsewhere, the study itself serves a different purpose. It could fuel lowly desires that are the lot of simple people. There were even many rabbis who were lowly in their behavior, and therefore it became critical to study mussar (ethics).
Moreshet Shaul (44)
Various Rabbis
31 - Moreshet Shaul: Spiritual Self-Improvement – part I
32 - Moreshet Shaul: Spiritual Self-Improvement – part II
33 - Moreshet Shaul: Character Refinement – part I
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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: Members of the Nation Who Are in The Fields
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 95 (from 1942)
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: The Ethics of the Torah
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 558
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.
