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The rules and values of Judaism resemble the rules and realities of the road. Judaism posits that there is no such thing as a completely open road. There will always be other drivers on our road and using our traffic lanes. We are not alone in our search for the open road. We must therefore always be prepared to accommodate others as well. Judaism recognizes good and evil in the world as constant and permanent factors in life. There are good drivers and bad drivers. We may initially assume that the driver next to us is a good driver but if he continues to tail gate, weave in and out of lanes, pass other cars dangerously, it is only plainly realistic to avoid that driver out of the sheer will of self defense. In life as well there are bad friends and evil companions, cynics and ne’er do wells. The wise and sanguine person will avoid such personages and groupings. Driving defensively in life is as wise an axiom as is driving defensively on the road. One must always anticipate that problems may occur. No automobile or automobile driver is perfect. Therefore, wisdom, caution and great peripheral vision is essential in life just as in driving an automobile. The Torah bids us to drive and live on a straight road - "for the paths of the Lord are truly straight" - and not to make unnecessary detours or try appealing shortcuts that end up being a dead end. The prophet warns us that "the righteous will walk, drive, go on that straight path, but the evil ones will crash and fall upon it." Even the open road is not really that open.
We are all aware that speed kills. Yet the drive to somehow gain a few minutes, even seconds, forces people to take great risks when they drive at excessive speeds. Judaism cautions against great speed in life. Moderation and patience characterize Jewish wisdom and experience. The attempt to speed up historical processes and promised events and fortuitous prophesies oftentimes lead to disastrous and counter productive results. Jewish history is littered with the remains of false messianism and illusory open roads. God alone controls our timetables. The prophet told us in His Name "in its appointed time I will then hasten its (redemption and success) arrival." There is a rush towards peace here in Israel. It is understandable and desirable beyond words. But irrevocable decisions made in haste and under varying pressures inevitably backfire and leave us farther from the goal of peace than ever before. The rabbis in Avot cautioned us "to be deliberate and patient in judgment." That is good advice in driving on the highway and in all other facets of our personal and national lives and circumstances.
Finally, not everyone can or should drive an automobile. A license or permit to do so is a universal requirement. So too is it in Judaism. Scholarship, sensitivity to tradition and a great deal of Torah wisdom is necessary before pronouncements and valid opinions about how to drive the Jewish car can be made. And even then the apparent open road is not really as open as one would wish in currently politically and socially acceptable terms. So let us drive carefully in all the areas of our existence.
Army and War "If Haredim Should Serve in the IDF, So Should You"
IDF Service for Young Jewish Men from America
Army and War "If Haredim Should Serve in the IDF, So Should You"
IDF Service for Young Jewish Men from America
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.
