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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
One can suggest that the voice just refers to the content of Hashem’s commandments. However, the midrash (Devarim Rabba 7:1) hints at a different idea: "Whoever listens to the kol of Torah in this world will merit to hear that kol of rejoicing and happiness, of groom and bride (Yirmiyah 33)." Our pasuk is brought as confirmation of this idea. The happy kol we are promised is not referring to following the content of the happiness but of experiencing the sound and the mood that accompany good times. It is also noteworthy that the midrash does not talk about the kol of Hashem but the kol of Torah. Granted, the Torah is Divine in origin and thus the content of the Torah is the content of Hashem’s Will. However, when focusing on the experience, not the content, the kol of the Torah has a somewhat different application. Notice also that Moshe stresses that which the people are being commanded "today," forty years after many of them had actually heard the voice of Hashem when He addressed them at Sinai.
These observations add weight to the Me’am Lo’ez’s (Ki Tavo 18) thesis that the midrash’s understanding of the p’sukim refers to one who listens to Torah without comprehending what he hears. The experience of just listening to the sound of Torah study creates an atmosphere that influences a person and inspires him to strive for improved observance. This idea also connects the passage in the midrash to the previous one: "Whoever enters synagogues and study halls in this world will merit to enter synagogues and study halls in the world to come." The term of entering these places seems strange, as the point should be to engage in meaningful prayer and study. This source too stresses putting oneself in the uplifting atmosphere and meriting that blessed experience in the future.
An uplifting mood and atmosphere is of limited value if it does not lead to a fulfillment of "to observe to perform all of the commandments." However, for many people the key ingredient in reaching that level of observance is not the absorption of intellectual material but connecting oneself to settings where he can feel the sanctity of the Torah that Hashem kindly gave us.
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.
