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History and life show us the importance of small things. High sounding values and theories are difficult to communicate from one generation to the next. Even nationalism, Marxism, pacifism and other then thought of as being lofty ideals were unable to meet the challenge of changing times and circumstances and continue in later generations. The Torah wisely taught us that great ideas, big things, are only lasting if communicated through small things, everyday behavior, rituals of rote, good habits if you will. By performance of the everyday mitzvoth of life, the values that they represent, the great and noble ideas that guaranteed the slow progress of civilization throughout the millennia become real with a possibility of their becoming realized. Without the small things the great things fade and disappear. There arise later generations who know not Yosef - who do not believe that the great things have any relevance in their lives since they are essentially not a part of their daily everyday lives. It is the small things in life that carry along the great things and transmit them over time and place. That is why the Torah is seemingly so preoccupied with small things. It knows that otherwise the big things that it represents, harmony, serenity, charity, human perfection and a just society, will never be achieved. Thus the Torah teaches us that the path to accomplish great things lies in the daily repetition of small things and that these small things contain the secret of human holiness and uniqueness.
The non-observant "pluralistic" streams of Judaism are learning this lesson the hard way. The hemorrhaging of Jews assimilating, intermarrying has had far reaching and deleterious consequences. Tikun olam - perfecting the world is a noble Jewish value and cause. But operating on its own it really has no relevance to one’s everyday life and behavior since it has no framework in which to so operate. If it is part of the structure of ritual, of blessings, prayer, avoidance of slander, giving charity daily and other examples of the fulfillment of God’s commandments and Jewish tradition then the lofty becomes more attainable. Without the daily requirements of Jewish behavior and tradition, the big things become completely lost in the cacophony of sound and noise that is our daily existence. The great business executives whose futures lie in the next quarterly earnings statement rarely have time to think about tikun olam. However, if they would have to interrupt their busy day every day for the mincha prayer service, then the concept of tikun olam enunciated in that very mincha service could perhaps become more meaningful and relevant in one’s life and decisions - even business decisions. Praying the mincha service is one of the small things in life. But it like all of the other mitzvoth it is the primary guarantor of transmitting the values and goals of Judaism onward to later generations and differing circumstances. So my friends, in reality there are no small things in life.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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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.
