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- The Art of T'shuva
TRUTH, JUSTICE, AND THE ISRAELITE WAY
Remember Superman? The champion of "truth, justice, and the American way." Today, at least for a grown-up, it is obvious that the American way is not one of justice, nor truth. However,as long as American culture dominates modern civilization, the world has to live with this myth. In the future, the real Superman will be found - the nation of Israel - championing truth, justice, and the Israelite way. What is the Israelite way? Torah. In the past, with the giving of the Torah at Sinai, the nation of Israel brought the concepts of morality and Divine justice to a barbaric world. So too in the future, the People of the Book will once again educate the rest of mankind. This is our national calling.
"The apex of the nation’s soul is the yearning for universal good. The striving for it is built into the essence of its being, and this influences all of existence. The highest concept of t’shuva is embedded in this exalted hidden source."
The Art of T'shuva (20)
Rabbi David Samson
18 - Torah, Torah, Torah
19 - Light Unto The Nations
20 - Lights Of T'shuva
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Rabbi Kook tells us that the essence of Israel’s soul is the yearning for universal morality. This can be seen throughout Jewish history. Not only were we the first nation to uproot idol worship from the world, the Jewish people gave mankind a detailed code of law by which to live, based on the principle of justice.Jewish law and ethics cover all aspects of human endeavor, from property rights, civil law, damages, claims, marriage, employment, inheritance, trusteeship, laws of witnesses, and the like.These laws, and the moral codes which stem from them, became the foundations of Western civilization. The striving for justice is rooted in the Israeli soul. The Torah gives it its outward expression. It takes Israel’s potential and actualizes it in life. But even when the Jewish people are not keeping the Torah, G-d forbid,just their presence in the world reminds mankind of the standards of morality and justice which the nation of Israel gave birth to.
CONNECTION TO THE NATION
"The (basis of the) soul of the Jewish nation is absolute justice, which, to be achieved, demands the moral perfection of everything in the world. Thus, every moral blemish on the part of an individual Jew weakens his connection to the nation. The primary, fundamental t’shuva is to attach oneself to the soul of the people. With this, it is necessary to correct all of one’s deeds, according to the essence of the nation’s soul."
A Jew is much more than an individual. He is attached with a living link to the Jewish nation as a whole. Beyond his own private existence, he is bound up with the life of the nation or clal
"An individual cannot be connected to the root of the Jewish nation unless his soul has been purified through t’shuva of its coarse, human behavior and degenerate moral traits, or unless his soul is pure from the outset. For the fundamental character of the Jewish nation is the desire that the highest standard of justice, the justice of G-d, will be established in the world.
"Whoever has been blemished by any kind of transgression,to the extent of the blemish, the will for justice and goodness will not function within him in a wholehearted fashion. Thus, he will not be truly attached with the national character of the Jewish people until the blemish has been erased."
"To remove the barriers which prevent the perfection of a Jewish person’s character, it is necessary to do away with every concrete obstruction which darkens the Jewish soul. This goal demands complete t’shuva for all of the specific acts of misconduct and sin, on the basis of the Written and Oral Law, all of which embody the Divine soul of the Jew."
Rabbi Kook teaches that in order to reach the high level of personal perfection where an individual truly yearns for universal justice, he must bind himself with the soul of the Jewish nation.This can only be achieved if he cleanses himself from all transgression, not in a vague, general manner, but in a comprehensive spiritual overhaul based on all the fine tunings of Jewish law.
"A Jew must be united with the Divine good in the soul of the nation of Israel, and this will assist him in doing t’shuva. Always, he will be faced with his failings and sins, which arise from his alienation from the nation of G-d, which is the root of his being, and the source of all the good within him."
When a Jew attaches himself to the soul of the nation, he plugs himself into a powerhouse of goodness. By identifying with the Jewish people, by getting involved in Jewish causes, by going to synagogue, by being interested in what’s happening in Israel,or by simply learning Hebrew, he becomes a better person. No matter what his station in life, he can feel good that he is a Jew."I am a Jew, and I’m proud," should be his feeling every morning. Thus, there are two paths to becoming a champion of justice and truth. One can first correct all of his wrongdoings and personal blemishes and then attach oneself to the ideals of the nation; or he can attach himself to the ideals of the nation and subsequently bring his behavior into line with the Torah’s precise code of laws. Should it arise in the mind that in cleaving to the soul of the nation, one will also be attaching oneself with the sinners of Israel, Rabbi Kook explains that this is not so.
"He should not hesitate to attach himself with the soul of the nation, even though there are evil and base individuals within it.This does not lessen in any manner the Divine light of good in the nation as a whole - for even in the lowest sinners of Israel,there is a spark of the Divine. Since the nation of Israel embodies the Divine good, not only for itself, but for the whole world, and all of existence, by connecting himself firmly with the soul of the nation, he will come to attach himself to the living G-d, and be in harmony with the Divine blessing which fills all of life. The light of G-d will then surround him in all of its splendor and power."
T’SHUVA IS THE MESSAGE
Just as American materialism dominates world culture today,in the future, Israel’s yearning for morality and universal justice will spread to the ends of the globe. Emulating the Jews, people will strive to be good. Everyone will want to serve G-d. Enlightened by the message of t’shuva, everyone will want to be like the Jews.
In those days, it shall come to pass, that ten men out of all of the languages of the nations shall take hold and seize the garment of a Jew,saying, We will go with you, for we have heard that G-d is with you.
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.
