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Beit Midrash
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Pathways in Personality Development
- Humility, Holiness and Fearing Hashem
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Personality Development
- Anava - Humility
A humble person is content with his lot and is thankful for whatever he receives. He does not feel as if he deserves more than what he has. He is happy with what he has. The conceited person, by contrast, who seeks out honor and desires respect, is never satisfied with what he receives. He always feels as if he is lacking something. He is ever envious of others. A humble person, because he is content with his lot, does not envy others. He feels as if he always receives more than what he deserves.
Hasidic legend relates that once, two great Torah scholars went to visit the famous disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, the Maggid of Mezritch, and to witness his greatness for themselves. During their visit, they asked the Maggid to explain the words of the sages, "A person must bless over hardships in the same manner that he blesses over good fortune." How, they asked, can a person recite a blessing over misfortune and be thankful for it in the same way that he blesses over goodness?
The Maggid of Mezritch answered them saying, "Go to the study hall and speak with R' Zussa. He will clarify these words for you."
So they went and inquired in the study hall. "Who here is the acclaimed R' Zussa?" they asked. "We have been sent by the Maggid of Mezritch to speak with him."
"There is no such acclaimed scholar here by that name," they were told. "There is only Reb Zussa who is sitting over there in the corner by the wood stove."
They went over to him and found a simple man garbed in tattered clothing. He appeared to be utterly destitute and they could not believe that this was the person who was supposed to explain the words of the sages to them. However, because there was nobody else by this name in the study hall, they introduced themselves.
"The Maggid of Mezritch sent us to you so that you might explain to us the words of the sages, 'A person must bless over hardships in the same manner that he blesses over good fortune.' How is it possible to bless over hardships at all? What's more, how is it possible to bless over hardships in the same manner one blesses over good fortune?"
Reb Zussa replied, "I do not even know how to answer to your question. I have known only good fortune in my life. The Almighty has always provided me with whatever I lacked. How can a person like myself, who has never known hardships, explain such words? I have always blessed over good fortune. Somebody who lacks food or clothing might be able to help you, but personally I have never lacked a thing."
This is true humility, and it is accompanied by joy and bliss. A proud person, by contrast, who thinks highly of himself and seeks honor, is plagued by unhappiness and envy. He always thinks that he deserves more, and he is never satisfied with what he has.
We see, then, that besides being a correct and virtuous trait, humility is also beneficial. It frees a person of all envy and brings him happiness. This is always the case: The true and upright path is also the most pleasant and rewarding.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
