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What does a life of respecting others, especially elders and parents, give to the prospect of upholding values?
A. Vigilance regarding the sanctity of property and a counterpart’s value – When someone worked hard, did not steal to survive, and has the spirit of the living G-d in his midst, he deserves respect because of the form and spirit of Hashem within him. It is more obvious when this person is wise and gives to others, and especially if his counterpart is a recipient of his kindness from a young age. This is a debt of gratitude that every person must pay.
B. A restraint for the emergence of egotism within a person’s animalistic side – Clearly, there is a difference between what a person allows himself to do when he is alone and what he does in public. This is true when the public includes people who have an impact on him. People whose opinion and essence are unimportant to him will not restrain him. If one [follows the Rabbis’ instructions] to treat his friend like his rabbi and fear his rabbi like Heaven, then everything he does is more thought out and fitting to his values. If one does not value his friend’s honor and honors his rabbi like a friend, we can but imagine how his fear of Heaven will be.
C. The ability to be influenced positively – When one [treats parents with respect], it helps him be influenced by them; this works primarily indirectly. Who from the previous generation did not tremble at all when he thought of his father or grandfather? Who did not value their positive characteristics and try to draw somewhat close to them? If the Torah demanded honor, it is clearly not for the sake of the object of the honor, for honor is not good for them, as the Rabbis said: "Jealousy, desire, and honor remove a person from the world" (Avot 4:21). They tell us (Yoma 87a) that when Rav Zutra was carried by his students into the lecture, he would say: "For prominence does not last forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation" (Mishlei 27:24). Rather, the honor is critical so that the honored person will be able to lead the honorer on the proper path in life.
Therefore, it is important to be very vigilant not to turn simplified relationships into lack of manners. It is better to err by using too much manners than too little.
Moreshet Shaul (48)
Various Rabbis
34 - Moreshet Shaul: Character Refinement – part II
35 - Moreshet Shaul: Character Refinement – part III
36 - Moreshet Shaul: Character Refinement – part IV
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Violence by children is a bad habit that can become a precedent for their way of life. They quarrel over things that are important to them like a stick or a smooth stone, and the stronger child decides to take what he wants by force. One must use all available tools – speech, habit formation, and real punishments – to eliminate this wrong path.
I heard a father telling a boy complaining about being bullied: "Go and hit him back." Not only is this a poor approach, but one should teach with all his strength the virtue of patience and maintaining self-dignity. It is better to respond: "Do not play with him until he asks forgiveness." One must not under any circumstances legitimize the violence that the counterpart improperly used [by urging to mirror his action]. One should not recommend it or even see the positive in it. "The left hand should push away, whereas the right hand should draw one close" (Sota 47a).
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Spiritual Self-Improvement – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 405-7 (from the 1930s
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: What Connects Us as a Nation – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 704
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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.
