“Honor Requires an Audience”+ Tu B'Shvat

Rav Kook makes some very interesting "diyukim" (deductions) from this passage in the Talmud about when to wash or moisterize (with oil) right before left, and regarding anointing one's entire body, and relates to small "timely" fixings, as opposed to general improvement.

Fix the Leak or Overhaul the Oil

Rav Kook makes some very interesting "diyukim" (deductions) from this passage in the Talmud about when to wash or moisterize (with oil) right before left, and regarding anointing one's entire body, and relates to small "timely" fixings, as opposed to general improvement.

On Extreme Progressive, Why Right Shoe Before Left & Summary of Lefty Halachot

Orchot Tzaddikim class 77, Teshuva part viii‏

The class describes the various mitzvot involved in kiruv, including an innovative explanation based upon the Rambam that this is actually part of belief in G-d, and loving Him, for the mitzvah is not just to believe but to get others to believe, as well, as inferred from the Shema and the word "liha'amin". The class also deals with the importance of not being cynical towards the rabbis or sages, even if one doesn't feel like observing, it's not beneficial nor intelligent to degrade the Torah and the greatest geniuses of Jewish history.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 74, "Teshuva" part vii‏

The class deals with how to cleave and strengthen the G-dly trait of "Truth", the need to pray for Teshuva, the importance of returning that which was wrongly taken before saying Viduy, and other aspects of Teshuva.

Special Spiritually and Imagination on Shabbat

Rav Kook explains why that which is learned on Shabbat is considered so much greater than that studied during the week, and why creativity is that much greater on Shabbat, for better or for worse!

Orchot Tzaddikim class 74, "Teshuva" part vi

The class deals with not "resting on one's laurels", and that not a few people who lived their entire lives idealistically, "lost it" upon getting older. Similarly the importance of not focusing on luxuries but on the necessities of life.

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!

Orchot Tzaddikim class 74, "Teshuva" part v

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.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 73, "Teshuva" part iv

Orchot Tzaddikim class 72, Teshuva part iii

The class deals with the most common examples of mistakes or sins which we almost all do, some of which haven't changed, but we also point out those where historically there has been an interesting improvement over time.

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.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 71, Teshuva part ii

The class deals with 7 reasons why not to delay one's Teshuva, and 7 additional aspects which make Teshuva challenging.

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.

Orchot Tzaddikim- class 70, Teshuva part i

This class begins the new topic of Teshuva, discussing the greatness and need, the easiness and the difficulty involved. There is also an interesting aside relating to the greatness and importance of Yerushalayim, including a classic story told by Rav Soloveichik.

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.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 68, "Speech" part iv

It's especially problematic to scare children, and "I was only joking" is not an excuse for Lashon HaRah. Similarly, the concept of "it takes one to know one" should encourage people not to talk bad about others, for you may be "projecting" your own faults. Today's class also (somewhat) reveals the identity of the author of Orchot Tzaddikim, for he (as previously!) holds like the maverick opinion of the Smag regarding giving others the benefit of the doubt, which he holds is a Torah prohibition! He also holds that revealing a secret, even after many years, is also a Torah prohibition.

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.