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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Jacob ben Bechora
The great temptations that lie in attempting to earn a great deal of money are recorded for us throughout the Shulchan Aruch and the Talmud. The Torah does not grant room for fraudulent practices in the world of commerce. Noble goals such as having wealth to distribute to charity never justify false and unethical means in obtaining that wealth. We are all tempted by all wealth and by means of obtaining unrealistic returns on our investments. One should always be wary of those who promise great returns with minimum risks. In the real world these fantasies really never exist. It is amazing to me how wise and successful business people and so-called financial experts themselves fall prey to such pie in the sky schemes and propositions. It is only the drive for having "more" at all costs that drives us to be blinded by greed and lose our sense of wisdom and proportion in these matters. Almost all rabbis that I know, and I humbly include myself in this group, can testify that out of the many halachic issues that people present before them very few of them concern business practices or monetary matters. It is almost a given that that section of halacha is not really pertinent to our behavior and times. It takes a great financial crisis such as the one we are currently experiencing to bring home to us how really exacting and pertinent these values and laws of monetary halacha really are to us. If one does not keep these Torah values in mind at all times, the temptations of "more" will always overwhelm us.
I make no moral judgments about other people, especially when they have now been publicly humiliated and brought low. I remember very well the temptations thrust upon a seemingly successful investor or developer when people who wanted "more" literally came and thrust large sums of money at such a person asking for an unreasonable return on their money. It is hard to turn down money that is being thrown at you, especially when it is other people’s money that one is putting at risk. Only a strong sense of morality and honesty can withstand such pressures. The Talmud teaches us that it is not the mouse that steals but rather the hole in the wall that allows the mouse to enter the premises that is the true robber. Those who throw their money at others in order to always obtain the maximum "more" are complicit in the fraud and in the eventual disaster that emanates from such practices. The downturn in the world’s economy will at least flush out a great deal of the fraud existing therein – at least until the cycle turns again and the greed for "more" will fuel the next series of frauds.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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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.
