Beit Midrash

x
filter by media
filter by Lesson length
230 Lessons
    undefined
    Ein Ayha

    How to be a Living Torah

    Ayn Aya Shabbat 34

    R. Kook corresponds here with R. Samson Raphael Hirsch regarding their difference of opinion in understanding the benefit of the mitzvot just through logic or also through the entire "Broad Torah", including Pardes, Hassidut, Kabbala, Philosophy and Mussar, and through "Knowing G-d"- analyzing & emulating His attributes.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | 3 Adar I 5784
    undefined
    Ein Ayha

    Reaping the Benefits of the War on Hamas Without the Mistakes

    Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 33

    Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 33

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Cheshvan 19 5784
    undefined
    Rosh Hashana

    The Road to Heaven is Paved with Good Intentions

    Our sages say that God "counts" good intentions, but doesn't "count" bad intentions. On the other hand, the Talmud Yerushalmi adds that this is only for Jews, not gentiles, where the opposite is true. And the obvious question is: why? If intentions are serious, they should always "count", and if not, they should never be considered! Rav Kook explains that Teshuva is the easiest of all mitzvot, where even a thought is enough to erase decades of mistakes! On the other hand, it's also difficult, and we must analyze the differences.(Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 32)

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | 25 Elul 5183
    undefined
    Ein Ayha

    "All of Life- Preparation to Meet God"

    Rabbi Ari Shvat
    undefined
    Ein Ayha

    The Intension of Israel & that of the Gentiles

    Ein Ayah 3

    Ein Ayah 3

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | 21 Elul 5783
    undefined
    47 min
    Ein Ayha

    "Israel's Spirituality vs. the Physicality of the Exile"

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | 20 Elul 5783
    undefined
    35 min
    Ein Aya

    "Is There a Way to Know When We Will Die?"

    Ein Aya Shabbat 5, 30

    All people are curious to know when they will die, and Rav Kook offers an innovative and beneficial way of dealing with this issue.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 23 5783
    undefined
    Ein Aya

    Physical Abnormalities- Should They Be Covered or Not? Apparent

    Ein Aya Shabbat 5, 6

    Physical abnormalities are viewed differently by various societies. The issue of covering one's embarrassment has many ramifications also regarding the idea of Tzniut and covering our bodies. The class also relates to understanding the deformities or tragedies in God's perfect & holistic world. (Rav Kook's Ayn Aya Series, Shabbat v, 6)

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Kislev 5783
    undefined
    38 min
    Ein Aya

    Living Off of My Folks- The Tragedy of Unproductivity

    Ein Aya Shabbat 5, 8

    It's not uncommon in today's high standard of living and with the widespread fulltime Torah study of many kollel men for many years, for many people to continue living off of their parents or in-laws. Rav Kook deals with the problematic side of this phenomenon regarding both the individual, the society and the future generations (Ayn Aya Rav Kook English Series, Shabbat v, 8).

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Kislev 5783
    undefined
    41 min
    Ein Aya

    "Miracles: Better Off Without Them!" The Advantages of Nature Over Miracles

    Ein Aya Shabbat 5, 3

    Most people would love for super-natural miracles to return, but Rav Kook suggest many different (and surprising!) reasons why the laws of nature are actually preferable!

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Kislev 5783
    undefined
    Ein Aya

    The Benefit & Necessity of Adam's Punishment of Financial 'Sweat'

    Ein Aya Shabbat 5, 4-5

    When God punishes, it is always educational and beneficial. How much more so regarding the famous human sin of Adam in the Garden of Eden which decreed that livelihood will be earned only through the "Sweat of your brow". Our rabbis teach that God will occasionally even do miracles and change nature, in order to keep this "law of nature" Rav Kook explains why this difficulty to make a living is so inherent, essential and basically "untouchable". (Rav Kook's Ayn Aya Series, Masechet Shabbat v, 4-5)

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Kislev 5783
    undefined
    Ein Aya

    True Idealism is Practical- Not Naïve or Against Nature!

    Ein Aya Shabbat 5, 9

    Often idealists tend not to be practical or pragmatic, but Rav Kook stresses in thought, as well as in his life's work and projects, that if one really takes his idealism seriously, he should really want to implement it! (Ayn Aya Shabbat, v, 9)

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Kislev 5783
    undefined
    Ein Aya

    The Drives for Procreation & Spirituality Overlap

    Ein Aya Shabbat 5, 7

    Rav Kook relates to the overlap between the two strongest of drives: for spirituality and procreation to continue the existence of our species, and to the psychological & Kabbalistic partnership between the two. (Rav Kook Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 7)

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Kislev 5783
    undefined
    43 min
    Ein Aya

    The Claim Against Rav Kook of Antinomianism- Belittling Religious Details

    Ein Aya Shabbat 5, 10

    Some professors have accused Rav Kook of tendencies of antinomianism- and belittling the details of Jewish law, for the sake of unbridled and free spirituality. This class deals with Rav Kook's own answer and explanation, towards the end of his life, to such accusations.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Kislev 5783
    undefined
    Serving Hashem, Mitzvot and Repentance

    "Of All God's Miracles Large & Small..."

    Both Nature & Super-Natural Are Necessary

    The world runs both on the natural development of the individual, mankind and events, but also there are occasional significant turning points. Rav Kook analyzes the interplay of regular life with these "game-changers", and why both are necessary.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Elul 24 5782
    undefined
    46 min
    Ein Aya

    Why Should We Only Say "Yasher Ko'ach" in Israel?

    Ein Aya Shabbat 5,1

    What's the Difference Between Torah in Israel or in America?!

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Elul 12 5782
    undefined
    40 min
    Ein Aya

    Judaism: Approachable but Noble

    Ein Aya Shabbat 4,12

    The world is based upon evolution & constant improvement, learning from our mistakes. This central idea of Rav Kook's Orot HaTeshuva must be reconciled with the rabbinic teaching of "Hitkatnut HaDorot", or the 'Decline of Generations', how the more we are further removed from Sinai, the lower our level. Mankind is clearly advancing, having basically abolished slavery, & recognizing the wrong of chauvinism, racism, imperialism etc. so what do the rabbis mean? This class also deals with the apparent conflict between the direction today to make Judaism & rabbis approachable & relevant, with the importance of keeping their nobility & respect, & how (!) to keep the proper balance. The question of chumrot and leniencies is also addressed.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 21 5782
    undefined
    39 min
    Ein Aya

    Shabbat that Elevates Not Just the Secular but Even the Foreign

    Ein Aya Shabbat 4, 8

    It's common knowledge that Shabbat elevates the secular to be holy, but Rav Kook writes that the ideal Shabbat will elevate even concepts which are foreign to Judaism.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tamuz 14 5782
    undefined
    39 min
    Ein Aya

    When Should We Use Experience, Logic or Kabbala to Decide?

    Ein Aya Shabbat 4, 7

    Life is full of choices and decisions, and Rav Kook analyzes when we should utilize personal experience, logic and/or kabbalistic means, and in which order? Similarly, in learning Torah and deciding halacha, these factors interplay.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tamuz 7 5782
    undefined
    36 min
    Ein Aya

    Should Jews Be Proud of Einstein, Freud & Bob Dylan?

    Ein Aya Shabbat 4, 6

    Many Jews have played disproportionally central roles in western science and culture, having 0.2% of the world's population winning 22% (!) of the Nobel Prizes. Instinctively, many of us are proud of our famous brothers, despite the fact that often their contributions are clearly "non-Jewishly" influenced, and sometimes even the antithesis of Judaism. On the other hand, Jewish pride is a clearly positive issue. Rav Kook has an innovative way of balancing the two, aided by the rabbinic disagreement regarding Joseph and Potiphar's wife.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 23 5782
את המידע הדפסתי באמצעות אתר yeshiva.org.il