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Beit Midrash
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Serving Hashem, Mitzvot and Repentance
In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the Chasidic movement demanded a new balance between heart and head. It complained, and perhaps very correctly, that religious observance had become pure rote with enthusiasm, belief or inspiration sorely lacking in the Jewish religious society. The head ruled over Jewish life and because of its near monopoly by a small number of super intellects the vast numbers of Jews of Eastern Europe were effectively excluded from a meaningful Jewish existence. Chasidut came to emphasize the heart, to restore emotion and spirit to Jewish life. After a period of unbelievable popularity and success, Chasidut seemed to fall into the trap of abandoning the head and concentrating only on the heart. Fantastic stories of fabulous miracle workers, ecstatic worship services, drinking, frivolity and excessive conviviality all contributed to an atmosphere of the heart ruling over all else. The Jewish intellectual community, both religious and secular, therefore fought and ridiculed Chasidic practice. However, Chasidut reformed itself, became much more scholarly and introspective and regained its majority hold on Eastern European Jewry. But both Chasidut and its detractors began searching for the same goal - a workable synthesis of head and heart in Jewish practice and life. It is no exaggeration to state that the Mussar movement in Lithuania was the attempt by the non-Chasisdim to achieve this goal. In Chasidut itself the school of Psyzcha - The Holy Yehudi, Rabbi Simacha Bunim and Rabbi Menachem Mendel Morgentern (the Kotzker) - fought to achieve this balance. Both Mussar and Psyzcha were of great influence, though neither has survived in strength in our day.
The prophet Yeshayahu states: "The heart is critical - who can really know it?" The necessity to know one’s self, to know what really lies in the recesses of one’s heart, became the challenge of Jewish personal life. Only with the aid of the head can one truly glimpse into one’s own heart. Rabbi Simacha Bunim said that the heart has a limitless number of antechambers. Knowing one’s self is a lifetime occupation and constant challenge. What are really the motives that make me act as I do? The head came to uncover the mysteries and hypocrisies of the heart. As any psychologist will tell you, it is painful to discover one’s true self. But Judaism demands that we somehow undergo this wrenching experience. It is part of our search for God - our search for ultimate truth. And this truth can only be found within ourselves, in our very own being. A religion of pure emotion, of guitars and dancing will not long survive in generational terms. Unless there is learning and knowledge, intellectual ferment and creativity, the emotional part will itself succumb to being one of rote and habit. Only the head can prevent the heart from being atrophied. But only the heart can give true life and continual meaning to the head. The struggle to retain and balance both in our religious life and observances is the test of mettle for all of us. We cannot shirk from this battle.
Serving Hashem, Mitzvot and Repentance "Of All God's Miracles Large & Small..."
Both Nature & Super-Natural Are Necessary
Rabbis in Midrash
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.
