Ein Aya

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?

"Don't Try this at Home!

Questioning G-d by the Great & by the Masses

Rav Kook innovatively explains some difficulties in two Talmudic stories via relating to the issue of questioning G-d, and the difference between the great Torah scholars and the masses. This issue comes up often in the context of the Shoah and offers much food for thought.

“Giants and Limpers”

Rav Kook on the Advantages of Various Physiques Among Rabbis"

Rav Kook deals prolifically & innovatively with just about every topic under the sun. Here he deduces from the Talmud how to relate to rabbis who are particularly tall (we included a list from the last century!), and rabbis who limp, and dealing with people with special needs.

“The Making of the Akeidah”- In preparation for Rosh HaShana

The innovative class deals with how Avraham Avinu's entire life was a step-by-step preparation for Akeidat Yitzchak.

Balancing How Much Make-Up & Jewelry (?)

via the Kedusha of Shabbat, Jerusalem & the Family

Rav Kook deals here with the eternal question: how much make-up & jewelry is good, and how much is too much. What is the difference between being attractive or "attracting"? Rav Kook innovatively answers through the Talmud's recounting the story of R. Akiva buying a "Jerusalem of Gold" ornament for his beloved wife Rachel, exemplifying their unique & loving relationship (as well as his unique biography & Torah), together with our relationship to Jerusalem, as well as the rabbinical decree that one cannot wear that jewelry in the public domain on Shabbat. This classing paragraph touches upon many topics in Rav Kook's thought on.

More on Rav Kook & Antinomianism

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 84

Rav Kook deals more than any great rabbi with "Antinomianism", the tension between spirituality & the details of Torah. This topic, which was at the core of the debate between Hassidim & Misnagdim, is again seen by anarchists and revolutionaries (and even a few rabbis) as a call to implement the opinion in the Talmud that "mitzvot will not be needed in the future", just as they were not necessary for Adam and others before the giving of the Torah (so also was the claim of Shabbtai Zvi). Rav Kook clarifies the proper balance between the two, and warns against "skipping stages", where the world today still clearly needs law and order, rules, and obviously mitzvot! For more on Rav Kook & Antinomianism, see our class on Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 10, at the link: https://www.yeshiva.co/midrash/50973

Super-Teshuva isn't for Wimps but for the Great

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 83

Rav Kook deals here with the paragraph in Masechet Shabbat which holds that Ukvan bar Nechemia, the Chief Rabbi of Bavel, is among the greatest Ba'alei Teshuva in history, even like Yoshiayau in the Tanach! His embarrassing challenge precisely is what redirected his problematic drive to bring him to be a super-tzaddik and super-leader of Israel

The Great Teshuva of Great Minds & Talents

Ain Aya Shabbat v, 82

The Talmud describes the 2 greatest (although underrated) Ba'alei Teshuva in the opinion of Rav, and Rav Kook has a very innovative way of explaining why they are posed as the classic examples, despite the fact that the Talmud doesn't even mention their great actions, just that one is a king, and the other's family lineage. Rav Kook explains that extreme talents in any field, as well as the nature and nurture in great families, can either distract a person or lead him astray, but only exposure to the light of Torah makes the difference whether the talented will be super-good or super-bad.

Fixing Someone Straight or Crooked

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 81

Rav Kook sees a basic difference between one who is raised and educated well towards honesty and ideals, as opposed to one who was raised to be rotten to the core. Even if they both wish to change and improve, the challenges are totally different, and the ways of correcting that which was done wrong is also significantly different. The Jewish stress on educating the next generation helps us understand a difficult passage in the Talmud regarding the King Yoshiahu.

"Bad Thoughts vs. Bad Deeds"

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 80

Rav Kook innovatively explains a difficult aggadita which raises many questions, through understanding the differences between problematic intents and problematic deeds.

Good Free Will Enables the Temporary Choosing of Bad, Even Terrible

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 79

The class deals, among other things, with how there can be bad in a world created by a perfect G-d? Also, how can we influence the nations without them influencing us?

Even the Wise Shouldn't Skip Stages

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 78

Rav Kook often relates to the gradual evolution of the individual and mankind, but here deals with the problem of those, like King Solomon, who because of his wisdom, thought that he could skip stages. This counterproductive haste, mistakenly thinking we can force the G-d of history, has many ramifications, including our relationship with the secular State of Israel and the current process of redemption. He also relates here to his explanation why women don't need the time-bound mitzvot, and the symbolism of the number 1,000 in rabbinic literature.

Relating to That Which is Difficult to Believe

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 75

Rav Kook deals here with , the importance of studying history, even regarding thoughts or plans that were raised but not implemented. G-d runs the world on many levels and we shouldn't just relate to actions that came into fruition, but also thoughts, intentions and dreams. Children think that only that which you see is what exists, but today, sound waves, electric waves, antennas and even modern art show a more mature mankind that we are ready also to think more abstractly. This concept provides an innovative way of understanding various incidents mentioned in the Tanach, Talmud and Midrash, as well as aspects of emuna or faith that some may find difficult to believe or understand.

Tolerance but Not at All Costs

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 73

Rav Kook innovatively explains how did King Solomon even consider building alters for the idolatry of his wives?! He deals with the 2 ways of Kiruv: having the non-religious go "Cold-Turkey" to the extreme, totally severing all ties with their past; or alternatively: showing tolerance and gradually convincing them to see the good in their present life-style but to leave the bad and advance gradually. Rav Kook, although usually seeing the good in everything, & taking the gradual more tolerant approach, here shows the other side of the coin, & differentiates why regarding certain "red-lines" like idolatry, there is "zero tolerance".

The Solution to 'Risky' Intellectual Topics

Ayn Aya, Shabbat v, 72

Parents, teachers and rabbis grapple with the issue of what to do with risky intellectual topics or controversial questions that sometimes can cause more harm than good! Rav Kook, as always, has some innovative suggestions on the topic, which are highly recommended and relevant for all parents and mechanchim, and also deal with the advantages and disadvantages of more "open" or "closed" education for our children, in the challenging generation of today.

What was King Solomon's Mistake? Truth must be 100% Clarified

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 71

Rav Kook deals with the basic difference between emotion (which sometimes must be overcome) as opposed to intellect and truth, which must always be clarified, for there is no such thing as 99% true! Accordingly, he suggests an innovative explanation as to what caused King Solomon to sin, and the great challenge in running a Jewish State.

Achdut- Uniting (Even!) the Opposites as THE Central Theme in Rav Kook

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 70

Both R. Moshe Tzvi Neria and Prof. Avinoam Rosenak have summarized the philosophy of Rav Kook in the term, "Uniting the Opposites", which is the ultimate in monotheism and unity. This very important class deals with this concept via Rav Kook's understanding of the unique role of the House of David, the splitting of the kingdoms of Judea and Israel, the benefits of galut, and the subsequent current gathering of the exiles, as well as the current rift in Israeli politics and how to achieve Achdut, unity

The Educational Punishment Necessitating the Splitting of Judea & Israel

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 69

Rav Kook ingeniously explains our sages who say the punishment of the splitting of the Davidic kindgom into Judea and Israel (the ten tribes), was an educational punishment for David's splitting Mephiboshet's estate, giving half to Tziva, his servant. As he often does, Rav Kook ties this in to "current events", and why it's necessary for us to have 2 Mashiachs (ben Yosef=secular Zionism, and ben David), even though the ideal is just Mashiach ben David. For more on the topic, see my class on "Who Exactly is Mashiach ben Yosef?".

Tzaddikim are not Infallible or Naive but Identify &Fight Evil

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 68

Rav Kook analyzes the difference between the temporary dynasty of King Saul (and his grandson Mephiboshet who wants to rule in place of King David, who may have been more righteous than David's family), and the eternal dynasty of David and why the Mashiach comes from that family. Rav Kook also innovatively explains here why the Mashiach (Messiah) is named for that one action of anointing, and the difference between doing so with an animal's horn, as opposed to Saul who was anointed with a vessel.

Purim- the Real Acceptance of Torah & Why the Costumes?!

Ayn Aya Shabbat ix, 69

Rav Kook explains the Talmud (Shabbat 88) that Purim, and not Mt. Sinai, was the real acceptance of the Torah, through an innovative explanation of Free Will. The class also suggests an innovative idea the customs of wearing costumes, eating Haman-Taschen & Kreplach & drinking wine on Purim, and how Am Yisrael never "really" sins, and G-d never "really" punishes.

Defense vs. Lashon HaRah

The Speaker, the Spoken & the Receiver via Rav Kook's New Account of Mephiboshet

Rav Kook analyzes the deeper problem of Lashon HaRa and how it changes a person to being more pessimistic and suspicious and other problematic character traits. On the other hand, kings and governments deal with issues where the stakes are so high, they must be suspicious and cautious, balancing it with optimism, morality etc. There are many ramifications here for the modern State of Israel. Rav Kook is at his innovative best suggesting several great new ways of looking at things and at understanding several stories regarding King David.

The Severity of Lashon Harah But It's (Surprising!) Necessity for Leaders

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 66

Rav Kook analyzes the deeper problem of Lashon HaRa and how it changes a person to being more pessimistic and suspicious and other problematic character traits. On the other hand, kings and governments deal with issues where the stakes are so high, they must be suspicious and cautious, balancing it with optimism, morality etc. There are many ramifications here for the modern State of Israel. Rav Kook is at his innovative best suggesting several great new ways of looking at things and at understanding several stories regarding King David.

Practical Tricks How Not to Accept Gossip by Giving the Benefit of the Doubt

Ayn Aya, Shabbat v, 65

Rav Kook explains the Talmud which says that even if King David sinned by Uriah & BatSheva, he would not sin to accept gossip. This class deals with 21 concrete ideas on how to practically achieve that status that we automatically don't accept Lashon HaRah, by adopting the habit of giving the benefit of the doubt.

"Will Mashiach be More 'Dictator', 'President' or 'Prime Minister'?"

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 63

Rav Kook's innovative explanation of the Talmud regarding Uriah's sin in rebelling against King David, also consciously deals with his opinion regarding the type of government which Machiach is meant to lead, where he clearly will not be a dictator, but also not a prime minister. Rav Kook clearly agrees with his rebbe, the Netziv (Devarim 17, 14-15), who wrote that the form of government, whether democratic or a king, must be according to the popular will of the Jewish people. There are clearly ramifications as well regarding the modern democratic State of Israel which Rav Kook saw developing after the Balfour Declaration and founding of the nascent Knesset Yisrael.

Zionism Different than Other Patriotism

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 62

Rav Kook is often considered the spiritual father of religious Zionism. In this paragraph, his innovative explanation of King David, Bat-Sheva, Uriah HaChitti and the Amonite nation compares Zionism with other nationalism and patriotism of other nations.

Why the Wars & the Soldiers of Israel are Different

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 61

In this timely and especially important class, Rav Kook utilizes the gett (conditional divorce) which the House of David gave during war, to analyze why the soldies in the IDF and inevitably all Jewish soldiers, but especially religious Zionist chayalim fighting for Israel are altruistic and are able to rise above their natural instinct to survive for the eternal, moral, historic role of the Jewish Nation. The wars of Israel and the soldiers of Israel are inevitably different than the patriotism and nationalism found in other nations and wars who fight for more physical and temporary reasons.

Rav Kook on Rabbis & Leftists Who "Refuse to Serve" the IDF

(Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 60)

Rav Kook deals with the various opinions in the Talmud & rishonim of whether Uriah, the first husband of Batsheva, was deserving of death as a Mored b'Malchut (disobeying the king's authority). Rav Kook deals with the importance of the checks & balances which necessitate both a strong Jewish government and army, as well as a strong and moral Sanhedrin. He also deals with how every Jewish government, whether a king appointed by prophets, or judges (like Joshua, Gideon, the Maccabees, etc.) accepted by the people, or democratically elected governments all have a similar status regarding the obligation to respect and follow the law, and accordingly, both the "anti-Bibi" refusing pilots, as well as the Haredim who similarly don't follow the law of the land to serve in the IDF's milchamet mitzvah of self-defense, are severely sinning, especially during time of war, and at a time that the IDF is more than willing to meet all of the religious needs, in order to fill the present void of thousands of combat soldiers. They may even have the law of Mored b'Malchut!

Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 49

Sometimes the halacha apparently "needs" to be superseded by a greater cause. Judaism usually says that the ends doesn't justify the means, but Rav Kook discusses here when nevertheless it is allowed for rabbis to temporarily "sidestep" the halacha, and on what conditions it is warranted for rabbis to be more lenient than usual. Rav Kook reveals here some interesting autobiographical information, apparently regarding the Heter Mechira during Shemitta and when & why he allowed eating kitniyot oil and other controversial leniencies.

א, כו- "Punishments are a Natural Outcome of Wrong"

The Natural Process of Redemption is Even Better!

(Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 48)

For many reasons, contrary to popular belief, the natural process of redemption is, according to Rav Kook & the Maharal, is even better! The topic is connected with why the world was created via evolution and analyzing through examples why skipping stages in many aspects of life is counterproductive.

א, כה- "The Time & Place for Physical Beauty"

Ayn Aya Rav Kook's Classic Commentary on the Aggadic Portions of the Talmud

א, כד- "Sometimes Poverty is an Advantage

א, לט- "Reaping the Benefits of Tefilin"

א, כב- "Evil Undoes Itself!"

א, כד- "Sometimes Poverty is an Advantage

א, כא- "Why Live in a New Yishuv?"