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.

Orchot Tzaddikim 67, Gossip- Lashon HaRah part iii

The class deals with many additional practical and common examples of Lashon HaRah. The best way to improve our speech is by learning as often and as many examples as possible.

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?

Orchot Tzaddikim class 66, Gossip part ii

The class deals with how to work in journalism & read newspapers, as well dealing with politics according to the laws of gossip & slander. Also to the power of words and positive speech. The class also deals with why Lashon Harah is singled out in rabbinical literature as particularly severe.

"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.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 66, Gossip part i - Description & Source sheet

The Orchot Tzaddikim was written about 500 years before the Chafetz Chaim's classic work on Shmirat HaLashon and the laws of Lashon Hara (gossip and forbidden speech). This opening class explains why this prohibition is viewed with such severity in Jewish law.

“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

Orchot Tzaddikim (class 65), "Flattery" part ii

Most people don't even realize that "flattering" is problematic. This especially important and practical class deals with the question: when it's allowed and sometimes even virtuous (e.g. within the family, with students), but also when it's surprisingly prohibited!

OrchotTzaddikim (class 64), "Flattery" part i

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.