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Beit Midrash
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Serving Hashem, Mitzvot and Repentance
So you will tell me: "But did not the Talmud teach us that one is to ask one’s self constantly, when will my behavior and actions match those of my forefathers?" There is even a text that reads "when will my actions match and reach those of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?" Well, the likes of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will never again be seen amongst us. In fact, the greatness of the great Torah scholars of a century ago, their personalities and accomplishments, remain unmatched in our generations and with our leadership. The idea of the declination of the generations - yeridat hadorot - since Sinai is part of our tradition and world view. So what do the words of the Talmud about achieving the goals of our actions being equal to those of our forefathers actually mean? This question has vexed the scholars of Israel for many centuries. There were those who took these words literally and inevitably came up short in their attempts to achieve them. There were others who interpreted the words as being a message meant to instill humility within us. No matter how great our achievements may be in our eyes we are not allowed to be arrogant or fall into a state of hubris because of our seeming successes. For after all, we still have not achieved the goal of matching Abraham, Isaac and Jacob’s achievements and accomplishments. And there is yet another interpretation that the words are not to be taken literally but rather are meant as a goal and a goad to inspire us to do better and to encourage further and constant spiritual growth in a person.
However we deal with these words of the Talmud, the bitter fact remains that overreaching is a recipe for disaster in all matters of life. The rabbis in another dictum of the Talmud stated: "Attempting to grab too much will lead to grabbing nothing. Grabbing a smaller amount will allow the grabbing to be successful." Part of the problems that plague individuals, couples, organizations and the nation generally can be attributed to unrealistic expectations and the disappointments that the failure of life to realize these unrealistic expectations always subsequently engender. People are disheartened by unanswered prayers, blessings that do not materialize, unfairness in life’s situations, the failure of God, so to speak, to respond favorably to our spiritual growth and efforts. Spiritual ecstasy is always at best a temporary euphoria. Reaching for constant "highs" usually leads to many accompanying "lows." We all need constant improvement in our praying, good deeds, observances of halacha and interpersonal relationships. But this improvement rarely occurs because of a sudden epiphany or a dramatic overreach. Rather it is a product of hard work, constancy and commitment. And of an honest appraisal of one’s self and one’s capabilities, of the ability, so to speak, to play within one’s self and to be controlled and realistic. The Jewish world today is flooded with fantasies and stories about a past that really didn’t exist as portrayed. This only increases the pressure to set the spiritual bar higher and higher with the resultant disappointments that are inevitable. We will be asked in the World to Come why we were not ourselves, not why we weren’t the likes of others of another time and place.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.