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Greater is he who benefits from the toil of his hand than a G-d fearer. For regarding one who benefits from the toil of his hand the pasuk says: "The toil of your hand shall you eat, you are fortunate and it is good for you" (Tehillim 128:2). Regarding a G-d fearer, the pasuk says: "Fortunate is one who fears G-d" (ibid. 112:1); it does not say, "It is good for you."
Ein Ayah: The elevated feeling of one who benefits from the toil of his hand is the most complete and best ethical feeling in man. This is because a person has engraved in his nature that since he is free to choose his actions and, with diligence, he can complete himself in all ways, he should not sit idly by and wait for others to act for him. Even with regard to Divine Providence, he should imprint on his soul to reject dependence on others unless he cannot perform the matter himself. Whatever he can accomplish is the completeness (shleimut) that the Divine Providence bestowed upon him to have the power for a success that will be in his hand. This moral power leads a person to lofty levels because he will also strive for shleimut in Torah, wisdom, and good deeds. This all stems from the fact that the person wants to benefit from his toil and not be one who is supported by charity, which leads him to higher levels than an abstract feeling of fear of G-d. The latter may invigorate him to grasp service of Hashem. However, sometimes he will try only to "fulfill his minimum obligations" with nice and holy ideas that fill his heart.
In truth, the main pleasant feeling in the world to come belongs to one who benefits from the toil of his hand, for this is the good shleimut known in its truth to his Maker, although one cannot feel its entirety. This is why it says one with fear of G-d is fortunate, for he feels good fortune in its pleasantness and grandeur. It is in the world to come that this true goodness is recognized. Therefore, the essence of the good that comes from fear of G-d is one of palpable enjoyment. While it is of the highest level, its advantage is from the perspective of the enjoyment, similar to the good feeling of this world.
In contrast, the good that comes from the holy level of one who enjoys specifically that which comes from the work of his hand and thereby completes himself is connected to the truly good side of the world to come. Specifically there, the glory of this shleimut will be recognized. Since this attribute of benefitting from one’s own efforts, when it gets to its upper reaches, includes all the wonderful parts of good levels, it is very respectable even from its beginning. One who acquires this good attribute for himself is worthy of respect and honor even when the attribute is only starting to develop, i.e., when its purpose is to sustain his body and the people of his household from the hard work of his soul in a just and straight path. This attribute will elevate him even to its lofty value, in the storehouse of moral life in the path of Hashem. This is because the power of straightness that exists in this good feeling is the basis of all of the Torah. This is the part that Hashem gives to man to be judged based on his actions through free choice, and this is the whole purpose of our souls coming down into the world and getting mixed with the powers of the body. It is these efforts that the rabbis of mystical matters called running away from "bread of embarrassment" [i.e., our soul’s feeling that the enjoyment that one gets from the Divine light is not fully worthwhile if it was not earned through development of the soul by choosing well in life’s tests].The content of the matter is that the true goodness is to exist and be drawn by an approach of true straightness, which is Divine justice.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
