Jewish Holidays

Beans, Fear & Simchat Torah: A Spiritual Recipe for the Heart & Soul

Rav Kook's innovative explanation of why lentils should only be eaten once a month, but not every day, deals with the difference between Yom Kippur and Sukkot/Simchat Torah, and the (rare) place for fear of death & punishment, as opposed to awe and love, which are our primary stress.

Tree Tastes Like the Fruit

Rav Kook explains why the Abarbanel (Dvarim 16) writes that just as Pesach celebrates Am Yisrael, and Shavu'ot- Torat Yisrael, Sukkot represents a microcosm of Eretz Yisrael! The common denominator between many aspects of the holiday and her mitzvot is that the ideal world, as was meant to be created, is to have taste in the tree (preparations), and not just in the fruit, an essential greatness in Eretz Yisrael and the Sukkah, where even the mundane is holy.

THIS YEAR'S YOM KIPPUR- Prayers for All Israel

The situation in Israel this year, finally begins to answer the perennial question: is Yom Kippur meant to be a day of PERSONAL Teshuva and repentance? Or NATIONAL Teshuva and repentance? What is the main focus of the day? Because there's a discrepancy between the atmosphere of Yom Kippur of today and Yom Kippur during the time of the Beit Hamikdash. Perhaps we need to change our focus on Yom Kippur?

"ISRAEL DEFENDS MANKIND"- P' Dvarim- Shabbat Chazon/Tish'a bAv

his week's parsha as well as Megillat Eicha suggest an innovative answer to the age-old question: "Does the leader make anti-Semitism or does anti-Semitism make the leader?", which we ponder on Tisha bAv. Understanding Galut (exile) can precisely help us understand the bizarre coalitions of anti-Semites we see today in the streets and universities of France, England and New York. To realize the historic & international mission of Israel to defend mankind by fighting immorality and those who oppose the traditional family, religion and nationalism, represented by the Jewish-Zionist State who leads (and even doubles!) the western birthrate. Even though we still lack the Beit HaMikdash, thank G-d we are no longer in Galut, and lead the defense for morality and tradition, and fight the wars of Hashem.

The Absolute Bonds Between Israel and Torah

Is it Time to Change Our Name to: "Religious-Zionist-Universalist"?

Rav Kook ingeniously explains that all ideologies can be defined within the major 3 ideologies of mankind: religion- nationalism- morality/universalism. These are also the 3 factions causing the disunity in Israel today. These 3 are all (and always were) based in Yerushalayim- the national, religious and universal capitol. All 3 are not only ideals, but also necessary to balance & make sure that the other 2 don't get extreme, and start putting down the others

6th of Sivan or 50th Day of the Omer?

The Yom HaZIKARON SIREN- EVERY ARROW NEEDS A HEAD!

What do we and should we think about during the national siren in Israel on Yom HaZikaron? What is the significance, and what are the spiritual benefits and messages of Yom haZikaron? What are those who miss this experience missing out on? (see also my class here on "Wars & Selflessness", and the entire series of Orot HaMilchama of Rav Kook)