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Beit Midrash
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One should never allow a repentant serial thief to be near the cash register of one's business or to be its keeper of the books. Someone suspected of being a pedophile, no matter how 'cured" he or she claims to be, should never be allowed into a classroom in a teaching position. In personal matters the ability to grant a second chance is a personal choice of those who feel victimized. Not everyone is so blessed as to grant second chances easily. Yet we ask the Lord daily, in fact thrice daily to grant us second chances. The basis for Judaism is that even the greatest sinner is capable of redemption if the apppeal to one's Maker is truly sincere. The story of God's forebearance with the Jewish people after the incident of the Golden Calf is illustrative of this. In fact the story of Israel throughout its long and uneven history is one ofsecond chance granted. David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Ezra, Mordecai, the Hasmoneans are all illustrative of second chances granted to individuals and the Jewish people generally by the Lord of Osreal. In fact if it were not for this concept of second chances granted none of us would have a hope for success and immortality.In fact the current State of Israel is really a third chance that has been granted to the Jewish people to establish a moral and special sovereign state in thge Holy Land. We should be inordinately grateful to the Lord Who grants us so many repeated opportunities for greatness and eternal accomplishments.
Many a relationship, family, busines, community, has been salvaged by the ability to grant a second chance to someone. Sometimes the hurt is so great or the offense is of such magnitude that granting a second chance is unlikely and even unwise.forgiveness and forgetfullness are not always the wise or proper decision. There are always other considerations involved. Nothing occurs in a vacuum in this life. So the effect of a second chance on other members of the family, company, classroom and community must always be kept in mind. Oftentimes the magnanimity of granting a second chance to someone is given at the expense of other people affected by
that decision. If I make this matter therefore sound very complicated it is because the issue is a very complicated and sensitive one. Each instance must be decided on its own merits and immediate circumstances and to the extent possible future consequences of the decision as well. Since we are not blessed with prophecy this mkes the matter even more touchy. So as in everything else in life all of this is a very delicate and requies wisdom, balance and forebearance. But I am certain that all of my loyal readers are willing to grant this writer more than a second chance.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
