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Beit Midrash
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- Parashat Hashavua
What is this "glory of Hashem"? We begin with the words of Prof. Nechama Leibovitz, the generation’s teacher of parashat hashavua: "The visible glory of Hashem- can we know what it is? From the time that Asaf lamented, "There is no longer a prophet in Israel and no one among us knows to what" (Tehillim 74:9), no one among us knows the nature of prophecy or the nature of seeing the visions of Hashem. Only one who merited to be exposed to the Divine Presence will know what its nature is."
Rashi uses the opportunity to teach a moral lesson. Bnei Yisrael would receive at night a realization that Hashem has the ability to fulfill their desires and provide meat. However, since the request of meat was done improperly they would experience it without "a shining face," whereas by day, they would receive bread along with the glory of Hashem, as the bread would fall with love. According to this approach, the glory of Hashem once refers to a sign of love and another time refers to Divine Revelation. But why does the Torah use confusing terminology?
K’vod Hashem appears in several contexts of this era, including Mt. Sinai, the kohanim’s clothing, and the events in the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The Ramban (to Bereishit 18:1) connects between k’vod Hashem and Hashem’s relationship with those close to Him in regard to His visit of Avraham. Avraham, he says, was not trying to receive prophecy at that moment, yet Hashem appeared to him in a vision. This honored Avraham and showed his stature, just as Hashem’s Presence honored Bnei Yisrael at the Mishkan, when their efforts to erect it made them so deserving.
According to the Ramban’s approach, not only did Hashem find Bnei Yisrael worthy of grace at historically positive times, but even when they had complaints, they deserved grace when they handled themselves properly. Turning the right way, one could see the Presence in the cloud. In these difficult days, which seem to be days of darkness and haze, we should remember that behind the cloud there is always a great light.
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.