Beans, Fear & Simchat Torah: A Spiritual Recipe for the Heart & Soul

Rav Kook's innovative explanation of why lentils should only be eaten once a month, but not every day, deals with the difference between Yom Kippur and Sukkot/Simchat Torah, and the (rare) place for fear of death & punishment, as opposed to awe and love, which are our primary stress.

Tree Tastes Like the Fruit

Rav Kook explains why the Abarbanel (Dvarim 16) writes that just as Pesach celebrates Am Yisrael, and Shavu'ot- Torat Yisrael, Sukkot represents a microcosm of Eretz Yisrael! The common denominator between many aspects of the holiday and her mitzvot is that the ideal world, as was meant to be created, is to have taste in the tree (preparations), and not just in the fruit, an essential greatness in Eretz Yisrael and the Sukkah, where even the mundane is holy.

THIS YEAR'S YOM KIPPUR- Prayers for All Israel

The situation in Israel this year, finally begins to answer the perennial question: is Yom Kippur meant to be a day of PERSONAL Teshuva and repentance? Or NATIONAL Teshuva and repentance? What is the main focus of the day? Because there's a discrepancy between the atmosphere of Yom Kippur of today and Yom Kippur during the time of the Beit Hamikdash. Perhaps we need to change our focus on Yom Kippur?

"ISRAEL DEFENDS MANKIND"- P' Dvarim- Shabbat Chazon/Tish'a bAv

his week's parsha as well as Megillat Eicha suggest an innovative answer to the age-old question: "Does the leader make anti-Semitism or does anti-Semitism make the leader?", which we ponder on Tisha bAv. Understanding Galut (exile) can precisely help us understand the bizarre coalitions of anti-Semites we see today in the streets and universities of France, England and New York. To realize the historic & international mission of Israel to defend mankind by fighting immorality and those who oppose the traditional family, religion and nationalism, represented by the Jewish-Zionist State who leads (and even doubles!) the western birthrate. Even though we still lack the Beit HaMikdash, thank G-d we are no longer in Galut, and lead the defense for morality and tradition, and fight the wars of Hashem.

Is it Time to Change Our Name to: "Religious-Zionist-Universalist"?

Rav Kook ingeniously explains that all ideologies can be defined within the major 3 ideologies of mankind: religion- nationalism- morality/universalism. These are also the 3 factions causing the disunity in Israel today. These 3 are all (and always were) based in Yerushalayim- the national, religious and universal capitol. All 3 are not only ideals, but also necessary to balance & make sure that the other 2 don't get extreme, and start putting down the others

The Yom HaZIKARON SIREN- EVERY ARROW NEEDS A HEAD!

What do we and should we think about during the national siren in Israel on Yom HaZikaron? What is the significance, and what are the spiritual benefits and messages of Yom haZikaron? What are those who miss this experience missing out on? (see also my class here on "Wars & Selflessness", and the entire series of Orot HaMilchama of Rav Kook)

BETWEEN YOM HASHOA & YOM HAZIKARON

The two "heaviest" days of the year in Israel are "Yom HaShoah" and "Yom HaZikaron". There's a special feeling when not only does your school commemorate them, but an entire country stops in solidarity, standing at attention for the siren. Nevertheless there are several significant differences symbolized by the week differentiating between the two.

Example of Shifting Gears to Build a Jewish Nation

Erev Pesach which Falls on Shabbat

This year's unique situation of "Erev Pesach which Falls on Shabbat", and especially during the war in Israel, is a classic example of the difference between Rav Kook and religious-Zionism, as opposed to Chabad and Haredi Judaism, and the need to shift gears to build a Jewish Nation. To care not just for our religiosity, but about EACH OTHER'S religiosity AND security. Our historic and fortunate period in Jewish history also involves rising and in fact returning to the authentic Torah outlook & realization, that we are not individuals in a tiny shtetl, but once again, we are the authentic Am Yisrael with the Living Torah and mutual love and responsibility.

"PATIENCE MY DEAR NATION" -for Parshat Yitro & Tu BiShvat

THANK TRUMP BUT SING TO G-D & the IDF- Parshat Beshalach & Tu BiShvat

Mitzvot that Seem Outdated

9 Short But New Ideas on the Haggada for your Seder Table

Everyone needs chiddushim (new ideas) every year for their Seder, and this class supplies that need, including timely ideas for our present war with Hamas and relating to the non-religious.

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.

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)

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.