Beit Midrash

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49 Lessons
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    Rosh Hashana

    Decoding the Shofar Code

    This class (in easy Hebrew) decodes the difference between the t'kiya and t'ruah sounds (shvarim is just another t'ruah, as written in the Talmud), giving many practical examples from everyday life where these two sounds are differentiated. This fits in perfectly with other philosophic and kabbalistic ideas on the topic.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | 28 Elul 5783
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    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
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    33 min
    Ein Ayah

    For Shavuot: "Rav Kook on The Necessity for Humility to Learn Torah"

    Humility is always important but Rav Kook stresses here and proves it's essential necessity for Torah study.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Iyar 20 5783
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    Tu Bishvat

    Tu B'Shvat- Israeli Fruit's Vitamins of Holiness!

    The Bach, Chatam Sofer and Rav Kook elaborate on the "Vitamins of Holiness" found in the produce of Eretz Yisrael, who's consumption brings us closer to God & spirituality. The class discusses practical applications of this idea, as well as explaining why we say Shir HaMa'alot/Al Neharot Bavel before bentching; why is it called "Canaan Land"; why there is detailed significance in the order in which we eat the 7 species of fruit of Israel; why the manna only stopped when we began eating Israel's produce; a in-depth analysis of the Al HaMichya blessing, and an unforgettably unique explanation of the term: "Land of Milk & Honey". For Rav Shvat's tune to learn Al HaMichya by heart, see: https://www.halachayomit.com/rabasalhamichya.html

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Shvat 5783
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    47 min
    Hanukkah

    Can Maccabees and Hellinists Get Along?

    For Chanuka: Rav Kook on: Adopting the Positive Without the Negative of Greek/Western Culture Chanuka is a good opportunity to study Rav Kook's detailed advise regarding how exactly to adopt the good from the Western and modern world without the problematic and negative aspects. The class gleans many sources on this central topic of Rav Kook's various books and summarizes the Who, What, Where and How of this basic issue for religious-Zionist and Modern-Orthodox Jews.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat
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    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
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    38 min
    The spiritual view

    A Deeper Take on Shabbat: Why is This Allowed & That Prohibited?

    Ein Aya Shabbat 4, 4

    This important lecture helps answer the classic question we all ask: Why are certain things allowed on Shabbat and others forbidden? Rav Kook, based on Kabbalistic sources, explains that the 6 days of creation and the Mishkan- the 2 classic "constrictions" (Tzimtzum) of God, are the anti-thesis of Shabbat. Accordingly only and precisely those 39 types of labor which were done to construct the mishkan correspond to the 6 days of creation, from which we want to rise above on Shabbat, to get a taste of the original Shabbat which preceded creation, and the final Shabbat, when all of creation will be like Shabbat. This basic and beautiful idea is clarified here in a very understandable way

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 17 5782
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    1:00
    Hosha'ana Rabba

    The Secret Essence of Hoshana Rabba

    Hoshana Rabba is one of the least understood days of the Jewish calendar. What is the source of her specialness, which isn't mentioned at all in the Torah? The class deals with the ancient sources for 3 different aspects of Hoshana Rabba which in fact, overlap and harmonize to give us a deeper understanding of this final day of Sukkot, as the "final appeal" sealing how our year is going to look!

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tishrei 21 5782
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    45 min
    The Obligation of Thanking Hashem

    Remembering the 6 Day War- Yom Yerushalayim & Declaring New Holidays

    It sounds complicated to declare new holidays, but it's actually not at all. Similarly to allow haircuts and music during the Omer also is simple. Just declaring Hallel with a bracha is more complicated, but an historic return to the forgotten background of the "6 Day War" helps clarify that, as well.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Iyar 27 5781
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    32 min
    Ein Aya

    Give Space Before Harmonizing

    Ein Aya Shabbat 2, 276

    Rav Kook teaches that opposing legitimate ideals inevitably first appear as contradictory, but eventually harmonize with each other. So by all partnerships and inter-personal and relationships, as well as ideological rabbinic machloket.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Iyar 25 5781
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    35 min
    Ein Aya

    "Reality Has No Wings" - Revolutions & Improvements Must be Done Patiently

    Ein Aya, Shabbat 2, 274

    Ein Aya, Shabbat 2, 274

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Iyar 16 5781
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    39 min
    Ein Aya

    Clothing

    Ein Aya, Shabbat 2, 268

    What is the idea behind what the Talmud teaches that we must respect clothing? Rav Kook, as always, has innovative ideas behind the topic of clothing, not just in regard to tzniut and modesty, but philosophically, as well.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Nissan 5 5781
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    The Seder Night

    On Freedom, Matzah, Maror, and Korech

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Nissan 3 5781
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    47 min
    Passover - Pesach

    Why is the the Jewish Calendar Based Upon Pesach Falling in Spring?

    The Jewish calendar, adding an additional month of Adar in almost every 3rd year, evolves around making sure that Pesach comes out in the spring. Most Jews are familiar with this fact, but Rav Kook explains beautifully why it's so crucial that the spring of the Jewish Nation (Pesach) must be synched with the spring of the Jewish Land (Eretz Yisrael). The class proves that the Torah was given to be observed and learned in the Land of Israel.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Adar 27 5781
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    44 min
    The Essence of Purim

    Irony & Hashem's "Sense of Humor" as Basics in Purim and Jewish Thought!

    The Maharal, Rav Kook and others teach of the central theme on Purim of "Overturning"= V'Nahafoch Hu", but the question is: why is this so important? The class suggests 8 reasons why this concept is what convinced Yitro to convert to Judaism, and why this "boomerang" shows not only the irony and humor of God's history, but is so basic to understanding Judaism, justice, philosophy and more.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Adar 13 5781
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    41 min
    Amaleck

    How to Understand Murdering Amalek & Other Mitzvot which Seem "Immoral"?

    Every moral & thinking Jew has asked questions about certain mitzvot which don't seem to "jive" with the morality of God & the Torah itself! Rav Kook, as usual, bravely deals with these issues, & explains that "eternity" means that the Torah also had to be relevant to the primitive world in which it was given 3,300 yrs. ago. He differentiates between some actions, like slavery & bigamy, that had to be "allowed" temporarily in the ancient reality, but were never obligated. Nevertheless, 2 obligations (!) which seem "immoral" are regarding Amalek (killing & remembering-Zachor), & conquering the Land of Israel. But upon a closer look, they aren't immoral at all! When we lack prophets & Sanhedrin, the God Who runs History solves many problems!

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Adar 7 5781
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    39 min
    Ein Aya

    When Does Judaism Allow Tzaddikim to Separate From the Physical World?

    Ein Aya, Shabbat 2, 267

    ome righteous people, like R. Shimon bar Yochai, already live as if they were in the world-to-come, with just minimal physical pleasure. Their priorities are so clear that they even have difficulty tolerating those who work & live in the "regular" world. The carob tree that miraculously grew for them in the cave, represents selflessness, where even one's planting is for their descendants, not for themselves. Similar to God, Who created this world out of altruism, for us, so too when one plants in Eretz Yisrael he's doing so for generations to come for Israel is our eternal home, as fruit-trees benefit coming generations. In Israel, when in Jewish hands, there's no ideal to separate from this physical world, for even the physical is holy.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Adar 5 5781
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    34 min
    Ein Aya

    Why Did Moshe (& Rashbi!) Separate From His Wife & Life?

    Ein Aya, shabbat 2, 265

    We all know that Judaism stresses and even obligates us to marry and the importance of having a family life, but the question is, why was Moshe, the ideal Jew, davka told to separate from his wife? Rav Kook deals with the issue as he deals with R. Shimon Bar Yochai's similar separation from his wife and from his regular life. In addition to several other explanations, he compares Moshe Rabbenu with Adam and Mashiach..

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Adar 4 5781
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    39 min
    Ein Aya

    The "Sinking" of the Gedolim & the Rise of the Masses

    Ein Aya ii, Shabbat 2, 264

    "Hitkatnut haDorot", means the generations are going "downhill" as we get further from Sinai. On the other hand, Rav Kook & Ramchal often refer to the "Evolution" built into the world, that mankind is continuously improving through trial & error, better conditions & techniques, not to mention computers and technology. Accordingly, today we see unprecedented masses are learning Torah, including women, unique & innovative programs, the web etc. but the Gedolim are still descending. Rav Kook sees the benefit of this phenomenon, showing the advantages of the massive quest for truth, who davka feel today's rabbis approachable, as a "step-down" mechanism. Similarly, ideas must be revealed in the right time & we can't skip stages nor take shortcuts.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Adar 23 5781
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    41 min
    Ein Aya

    "Hawks" & "Doves" in Our Relationship with Gentiles

    Ein Aya, Shabbat 2, 263

    There always were different approaches as to how we should relate to gentiles. Obviously different approaches are suited for various periods, but Rav Kook helps clarify which to use & when? R. Yehuda praised the Romans' bridges, markets & bathhouses, R. Yossi chose not to comment, & R. Shimon Bar Yochai totally derided them, saying that even those contributions to the Land of Israel were for their own selfish pleasures. The first approach posits to accept the good from the gentiles, & this is the most advantageous & practical approach towards the gentiles themselves, especially during exile. Contrarily, when we can be independent, we must fight evil, for the sake of the weak, for society, & also for the sake of the evil themselves.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat
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