Ein Aya

Seemingly 'Strange' Rabbinical Decrees- Not What You Thought!

Rav Kook suggests a very innovative and important "eye-opening" way to understand some of the rabbinical decrees which are particularly difficult to understand!

Positive Chutzpah= Part of Redemption- Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself!

Rav Kook ingeniously explains why the Mishna in Sotah, already 1,800 years ago, teaches that "Chutzpah" is an essential part of the Ge'ula process, and in fact today we see the necessity and positive aspect of "Israeli Chutzpah". Similarly, Rav Kook elaborates in his classic article on "Fear", how Galut (exile) refined but softened us a little too much, and how exaggerated fear and phobia is one of the worst things in life, preventing people from thinking, activism, modernism and more.

Sometimes We Have No One to Blame But Ourselves & Our Imagination!

Rav Kook explains how fear and one's imagination often cause more damage than the problem itself. In fact, most of our problems we cause to ourselves, and if we made decisions based upon Godly logic and ideals, it would not only grant us a feeling of security, but in fact we would save ourselves from most problems, and surely the inflated or exaggerated ones.

The Neurotics of the Exile Mentality & Fear of Change

Rav Kook ingeniously explains this difficult aggadita about "Sandal Messumar", relating to the problem of "Fear of the Unknown", and the Exile Mentality, where fear becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. This analysis has many current ramifications regarding the individual and Israel's relationship with her enemies, as well as with America, and how to deal with anti-Semitism today in America, Europe and Australia.

Taming the Inner Wild: Rav Kook and Harnessing the Power of Imagination

"Imagination" and "thinking out of the box" is one of the keys to success in hi-tech, music, art and western culture in general. Rav Kook deals here with the kabbalistic image of imagination as the "heel" or lower part of spirituality, which generally needs guarding and protection (symbolized by the shoes). On the other hand, he explains that this "breaking out of frameworks" is a necessary part of the process of redemption and modern creativity, and even the basis for the revival of prophecy.

Decree" Come True? Rav Kook on Da'as Torah

One of the points of disagreement between most Hassidim and Misnagdim is regarding the g'mara in Masechet Shabbat: what does it mean that a "Tzaddik decrees and G-d will fulfill!" Similarly, there are various opinions about the significance of "Da'as Torah", regarding how much to ask rabbis & what is their "power" regarding mundane non-halachic issues. As always, Rav Kook has an interesting "take" on this.

Whose Torah? When to do Shlichut?

This class continues the previous one (Ain Aya Shabbat vi, 4 regarding many other factors which we need to take into account when weighing our own (or childrens' or students') learning, which often comes into conflict regarding the learning of others or weaker students, or teaching as compared with our own Torah study.

Choosing a Chevruta (Study Partner)

Rav Kook's Guide for every Torah Teacher- How to Pair the Students!

This class is a "must" for every yeshiva rebbe & student, where Rav Kook finally answers the complex question every yeshiva has asked, of how to "pair up" the chevrutot (Torah Study Partners")? Should the stronger boys enter she'urim with the less learned? When should the stronger spend time "tutoring" the weaker students, when they themselves must still grow in Torah? When is it time for a yeshiva boy to go out and teach, or get a teacher's degree and/or semicha (ordination)? These common questions obviously have complex and subjective answers, but Rav Kook finally helps us organize the "time and place" for each type of study: with someone more learned, or less learned, or on the same level?