WHAT DID CHAD GADYA DO TO THE CAT?

(Mis)Understanding the Movie "No Other Land"

"ON KVETCHES & PROPORTIONS"- Haftarah of Vayikra

Jews have an understandable tendency to Kvetch, but Yishayahu teaches us in the Haftara of Vayikra that in the process of ge'ula, we must learn to appreciate and focus on the positive and not complain so much. We should not tell G-d how to run His redemption, and in fact, we can understand the complaints about 3 AM sirens to shlep down 3 flights to the shelter with a child on each arm and a third on your shoulders on an average of once a night, but don't forget that just 2 weeks ago it used to be several times a night (and thank G-d we have shelters!). For decades the worst scenario imagined in Israel was a full-scale war with Iran, our largest, most sophisticated enemy with the most oil, Russian aid and nuclear plans. Well, that day is here, and we must profusely thank G-d and the IDF for pre-empting them with unprecedented intelligence, and professionalism to take out their entire leadership, anti-aircraft missiles and blow up their boats, planes and launchers pitifully uncontested. Our complaining shouldn't hide the glory of the G-d-sent victory, which COULD NOT HAVE BEEN ANY EASIER (except were more Jews willing to share the burden).

Wealth: When is it a Worthwhile Assignment?

Much has been written about wealth, but Rav Kook here analyzes what our sages teach, when is it and when is it not worth it for G-d to bless one with wealth? He explains that by G-d the reward or punishment is a direct and logical outcome of our actions.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 83, "Awe" part ii

The class deals with how today in the democratic world, the "quaking" approach to G-d is counterproductive, and "awe" must be taught accordingly. The class also deals with 6 answers to the question why heaven and hell are not mentioned more in the Torah. And why it's important to educate children with prizes & positive reinforcements, and pleasurable association with Torah and mitzvot, and not to pretend that a child is more mature or idealistic than he really is.

Between Amalek & Other Challenges- Eternal Foes or Occasional Bouts

Rav Kook writes about the necessity for various types of defense, differentiating between one-horned animals and the two-horned, as necessary for man and nations, as well. He uses the rare Tachash animal, uniquely used in the Mishkan, and not found in other generations, as a symbol of the antithesis of Amalek.

MI LAHASHEM ELAY- THE TORAH MINDSET- P. Ki-Tisa

"WHEN WILL THEY EVER LEARN?"- Iran & Purim

Modern anti-Semitism, and especially this year's miraculous bombing of Iran's Supreme Leader & almost all of his military heads has many parallels in G-d's miraculous salvation in the Megilla, but especially in the Midrashim on Esther. Iran and President Trump can help us understand Haman & Achashverosh, as well as the difference between Christians and Moslems today!

When Galut is Necessary & When Not?

Rav Kook differentiates between sins of manners, sins of the individual and those of an entire country or society. In the latter case, gentile nations leave the stage of history, but Israel (which cannot be wiped out) is sent to exile. The class deals with the severity of a country officially licensing or condoning sin (e.g. same-sex marriages) which is much more severe than what individuals may do as private citizens. Finally, the class deals with the question of how Israel, as a democracy, should address the issue.

Orchot Tzaddikim, class 82, "Awe" part i

The class begins the final chapter of Orchot Tzaddikim, and deals with 3 levels of awe, and how central it is to Judaism.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 81, "Torah" part ii

The class deals with how G-d grants each generation to innovate and add to the eternal Torah. Even though today, we may not be as religious and spiritual as previous generations, G-d has granted us many "game-changers" to make Torah today that much more NEW, exciting and intellectually and emotionally appealing.

Quality Over Quantity- Countless Ramifications

As mankind matures (similar to the individual child), we all realize that it's generally a mistake to go after quantity, at the expense of quality. Children and primitve man thought that "bigger is better", but today's tiny computer chips and laser warfare teach man what Judaism always knew. Rav Kook explains this important idea with so many ramifications in life and Torah, via the letter Yud, which is the smallest letter, and rationally explains its Kabbalistic meanings and usage. The class is a great example of how Rav Kook harmonizes and combines rational philosophy and logical Kabbala.

The Symbolism of the Dalet-Shaped Head-Tefilin's Knot

Many have summarized Rav Kook's ideology as "Uniting the Opposites", and this classic class elaborates on the idea via the Shi"n on the Head-Tefilin and the concept of "Laws given orally to Moshe at Sinai". A very basic class in Rav Kook's thought.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 80, "Torah" part i

This is the first part of the chapter regarding the supreme importance of learning Torah, and why it is so central to Judaism. Anyone who feels a lack of motivation to learn should hear this class!

Orchot Tzaddikim class 79, Teshuva part x

G-d doesn't hold a grudge, and even King Menashe, who served every pagan deity, and turned to G-d only as a last resort, was accepted! These inspiring examples stress that we can always do Teshuva, even when we have slipped back many times. The class also includes practical examples of how to improve, to finish off this extensive topic.

REFINING 'PATIENCE' W/ KIDS WHO LEAVE 'DERECH'

There's a common question today: how to deal with the unfortunate phenomena of children from religious homes who somewhat leave Torah. This innovative approach shows how to stay sane, not blame ourselves, and even turn that issue from being a major problem, into a G-d given opportunity to improve one of the 13 G-dly traits we are meant to emulate: Erech Apayim (Patience).

"Beyond Either-Or"

Rav Kook's Uniting the Opposites, Sinai & the Tefilin's Shi"n

Many have summarized Rav Kook's ideology as "Uniting the Opposites", and this classic class elaborates on the idea via the Shi"n on the Head-Tefilin and the concept of "Laws given orally to Moshe at Sinai". A very basic class in Rav Kook's thought.

WHAT CONVINCED YITRO MAY SWAY THE ANTI-ISRAEL TOO

We find that Yitro was convinced to follow the G-d of Israel for "Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the deities, for (precisely) with the thing that they plotted, [G-d brought] upon them(selves) (18, 11)." Rashi explains that the Egyptians drowned the boys of Israel, so in the end, G-d drowned their men as well. Why was this "Midah k'negged mida" (literally: "a measure for a measure)- so convincing for Yitro, even convincing him to actually change his life & join Israel? Similarly, this can help us understand why this theme of "V'Nahafoch hu…" (literally: "it was reversed", that the Megila flips everything Haman planned to do Israel, 180 degrees and brings upon Haman himself is so central also to Megilat Esther & the forthcoming holiday of Purim? We are not just speaking of irony, but of justice.

The Moral Benefits of Agriculture- Tu B'Shvat

The tanna R. Elazar writes that in the ideal world, all of us will participate in some form of agriculture, and that "a man without land is not a man". Aside from the mitzva of settling the Land of Israel, an overview of many quotes from R. Elazar will innovatively (but obviously) explain the many moral benefits (even in America!) of doing some gardening and having a deeper understanding of Tu B'Shvat.

Orchot Tzaddikim- class 78, Teshuva part ix

The class deals with especially interesting aspects of Teshuva (we're skipping and just doing the most interesting parts of the remainder of this chapter), including how G-d really helps us in this effort, and as opposed to man, He will accept us even if we have ulterior motives!

Ten Commandment Comparison

Many have attempted to solve the question, what is THE difference which can find the common denominator between all 31 differences between the 2 versions of the Ten Commandment? This innovative article suggests that our sages already answered this with one sentence in a well-known Midrash, just most never noticed that seemingly innocent sentence. It deals with the basic difference between the masculine side of the Torah and the feminine.