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Hypocrisy is the greatest enemy of religious leaders. Fallen clergy are the stuff of legend already, let alone popular literature and investigative media. They are especially vulnerable because of their usual posture of moral self-righteousness and their penchant for criticizing sharply those whom they feel to be derelict in their behavior, policies or thoughts and attitudes. Thus when their faults are exposed it is not only they that fall but they take down the faith that they represent as well. The tendency in certain religious circles and society to glorify its leadership to the extent that these people become superhuman only exacerbates the vulnerability to the accusation of hypocrisy. The Hasmonean king, Alexander Yannai, is recorded in the Talmud as warning his son against those "who behave as Zimri but expect to be rewarded as though they were Pinchas." Hypocrisy was seen as a greater sin in public life than being a Saducee. For hypocrisy when revealed drags down the entire structures of idealism and morality that once were represented by this now newly discovered hypocrite. Religious leaders have to therefore be careful not only in their private behavior, for in our times all private behavior eventually becomes public knowledge, but in their public statements regarding matters of moral and human behavior patterns. The Talmud warned the wise men of Israel to be very circumspect in their statements and words. Overstatements lead to exposure. Creating idols out of men, no matter how worthy and holy they may be - and there are many such people still in our midst, thank God - is dangerous and against Torah principles. It certainly raises the specter of hypocrisy to a warning level.
The very recent fall from grace and office of political leaders in the United States because of their immoral behavior was hastened by the fact that they portrayed themselves as crusaders for family values, ethical business relationships and honesty in all matters of public and private behavior. This high standard promise and demand doomed them when their own failings were revealed to the public. The public loves to punish a hypocrite, to puncture the balloon of pompous self-righteousness and personal infallibility. The Torah teaches us that there are no perfect people extant. Even the righteous have failings and sins. This is meant to therefore create a spirit of humility in all humans, especially in those who find themselves in leadership and influential positions. Arrogance leads to brazen claims, overstatements, hasty judgments and great risks. Pride and hubris go before a fall. It is stated in the name of the Gaon of Vilna that he predicted that later generations would be dominated by external appearances and posturing and not by true inner beliefs and purer motives. The greater the emphasis on externals, the more likelihood of the accusations of hypocrisy will occur. It is possible to recover from mistakes, errors and foolish behavior. But it is almost impossible for the public person in any forum to recover from the charge of hypocrisy if proven against him or her
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.
