Jewish Laws and Thoughts

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.

"Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"

Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.

The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention

Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.

"Tzniut vs. Cheap Attention"

Explaining Tzni'ut in a Modern Appealing Way of Rav Kook

Tzni'ut or humility has a bad "rap" for it goes against many "givens" of the western world. Arrogant people who depend on the approval or (often cheap) attention of others, rather than working on their inner selves, actually lose their own self, and inside feel emptiness. Humility is externally mistaken for unhappiness, just as arrogance is mistaken for happiness. This class is a must for parents and educators, especially of teenage girls, but really for everyone.