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The Torah study is dedicatedin honor of
Rachel Bat Yakut
Rav S.Y. Zevin tells of a tzaddik known as the Bat Ayin who was the rabbi of a city in Russia. A meshulach from Eretz Israel came and described the beauty and majesty of the Land. In summation, he said, "Rebbe, what more can I say; the simple stones of Israel are mamash yahalomim (truly diamonds)." Very inspired, the Rebbe decided to make aliyah. After much travail and effort, he arrived in Tzfat and was immediately recognized as a a rabbinic leader and tzaddik.
Years later, the Rebbe met the meshulach and thanked him profusely. "I see with my own eyes that your praises of the Land are true, except what you said about the stones being diamonds." The meshulach's response: "Nu, when one is zocheh, one sees." Taken aback and quite agitated, the Rebbe ran home, locked himself in his study, and did not emerge for several weeks. Finally, in a state of great joy, he came out and requested that a banquet be prepared. At the feast, the Bat Ayin retold the events precipitating his aliyah and his recent reencounter with the meshulach: "I am certain," he said, "that this was a message from above that I had not yet been zocheh to a true appreciation of our Holy Land! I fasted and implored God to open my eyes. Today, I can finally say, in truth, that I see the simple stones of Israel as diamonds!" The holy stones already exist. We merely need the eyes to appreciate them!
The Talmud relates: "All who mourn over Jerusalem will merit and see its rejoicing." Rav Kook asks: Why isn't it sufficient to say he will "see" its rejoicing? He explains that many people will one day see Jerusalem in its glory, but only those with the "eyes" and special merit will experience and appreciate its splendor!
In these past ten months, I have merited to see the holiness of Eretz Israel in four ways. My davening and learning have been enhanced and intensified with a "booster shot" of spiritual vitamins. The chesed performed by "regular" people leaves me speechless. And, finally, the range of skin tones, languages, cultures, and hashkafot leave me breathless! May we all merit quickly to see the diamond inside every stone of our Land and in every Jew!
Harav Avraham Yitzchak Hacohen Kook Weren't Rav Kook's Positions Unique Among Rabbis?
Translated by Hillel Fendel
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.