JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS

A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.

PARASHAT HASHAVUA: “A NATION SHALL RISE LIKE A LION”

PARASHAT HASHAVUA: THOSE WHO GO OUT TO THE ARMY

PARASHAT HASHAVUA: ON NAZIR, SOTA, AND TRUE UNION

Weighing Unity Against Idol-Worship

PARASHAT HASHAVUA: THERE IS A GROOM AND BRIDE – WHY NO WEDDINGS?

Torah and Work, Hand in Hand

PARASHAT HASHAVUA: INDEPENDENCE AND A FREE JERUSALEM BEFORE SHAVUOT

"TO LIFE, TO LIFE 'LECHA'IM' "- Parshat Emor

Rav Kook innovatively explains why Kohanim are forbidden to come in contact with death and that Kabbalists say that all women are like Kohanim- for the highest level in Judaism is life. This has many interesting ramifications!

What's in a Memorial?

Parashat Hashavua: Love and Jealousy within the Family

"FIRST 'THE NATIONS WILL SAY: 'G-D DID GREAT FOR [ISRAEL]' "

We don't always understand and sometimes Israel pays a price for being the closest nation to Hashem, but that is essentially part of our role. Rav Kook explains just like the prophets often suffered for saying uncomfortable G-dly messages, similarly Am Yisrael historically had to pay the prices as "the conscience of mankind", and the way Hashem is seen to the world. Recently, more and more gentile leaders are beginning to point out the unique and "Chosen" role of Israel, including a game-changing article by an editor of a leading British paper.

"NOT ALL HATE IS CREATED EQUAL"- p. Tazria-Metzora

The parsha teaches the tragedy of being alone and separate, but our 2,000 year galut is exactly that. Because of the universality of anti-Semitism, we unfortunately sometimes tend to make simplistic associations, & lump all this hatred together, as if it's the same. Yes, Iran hates us like the Nazis did, but today's war on all accounts is totally different, and we must thank G-d on Yom HaAtzma'ut for all those differences.

Parashat Hashavua: Closeness and Combat on the Way to the Divine

The True, Shining Face of Humbleness

Parashat Hashavua: With Trust in the “Rock of Israel and its Savior”

THE WORLD IS READY FOR ISRAEL'S BODY-SOUL HARMONY- Parshat Shmini

The modern world has only recently discovered what Judaism always knew: the body and soul nourish each other. Today we all know children on diets to stay away from certain physical foods which negatively influence their personality or behavior, e.g. certain artificial colorings increase impulsivity and restlessness, especially among ADHD. Conversely, modern medicine knows we can psychosomatically mentally "think" ourselves into being physically sick, which will even show up on our physical blood-tests. Psychosomatic illnesses are the "missing link" that proves physical actions (mitzvot) aren't just symbolic. If the mind can make the body sick through stress, the body can "heal" the soul through structured, purposeful physical actions. We are essentially using the body's hardware to "reprogram" the soul's software. This interplay between the physical and spiritual are an essential part of Rav Kook's Torat Eretz Yisrael whose time has come, but does this apply outside of Israel and to gentiles, as well?

Arrogance and Bachelorhood

Parashat Hashavua: The Extent of our Guarantor Status

Five Reasons for Torah Sacrifices