YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Jewish Holidays
- Sukkot
However, there are other unique qualities of Kohelet. One, which "got it in trouble," is the several apparent open contradictions within the work and between it and basic tenets of Judaism. In fact, the gemara (Shabbat 30b) relates that there had been a motion among the Rabbis to ban Kohelet because of the contradictions within it. It survived because of the important messages it contains, and the Rabbis were able to reconcile the contradictions. The two the gemara mentions are whether anger is better than laughter and whether joy is positive or not. The gemara answers that anger is better than laughter when Hashem acts harshly in this world in order to reward the righteous in the World to Come, whereas laughter with the righteous in the World to Come is good. Regarding joy, it says that joy related to mitzvot is praiseworthy.
Ibn Ezra discusses more apparent contradictions in Kohelet and offers different types of distinctions. The question is why there are so many apparent contradictions in the first place. If it is just hard to write deeply without appearing to contradict oneself, why do a disproportionate number of examples appear specifically here?
Perhaps the chronological thesis of R. Yonatan (above) answers the question. When one is young, he thinks emotionally. When he matures, he thinks intellectually, but he still sees things in terms of clear truths upon which to act. After one has completed much of his life experiences, the deep thinker will see that no one set of conclusions will explain what is right and what is wrong. So much depends on the circumstances, making the truth seem contradictory. That is part and parcel of Kohelet’s message. Try to do your best but realize that you will not be able to conquer the meaning of life and the exact path to fulfillment and perfection. Therefore, as Kohelet concludes, "At the end of the matter, when all is heard, fear Hashem and follow his instructions, for this is all of man."
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
