Heaven Help Us

Less than half of American Jews believe there is a heaven or a hell; not all that surprising, since that half also does not believe in a higher power or spiritual force of any kind. So I thought a few words were in order about Jewish tradition’s view of heaven.

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!

Mitzvot Which Seem “Outdated” in General or Unfair to Women

All religious (or potentially religious) Jews have difficulty with mitzvot which seem to be outdated. How can a thinking Jew understand & identify with a Torah which allows slavery, bigamy or taking enemy women during war? This class also deals with many questions raised by women or feminists regarding the role of women in Judaism, laws of Aguna, divorce, the brachot of "Shelo Asani Isha" or "SheAsani KiRtzono", etc. Rav Kook, one of the most innovative & brave Gedolei HaDor, writes a lot on this issue of "updating", explaining & identifying with the Torah in a totally Orthodox way (on which no one can disagree), to bring the Torah closer to all. [It is the 1st part of the class on "Mitzvot Which Seem Immoral", also highly recommended!].

Fiery Passion in Siberia

Make our Mitzvos Count!!

Aveirah Lishma- The Concept of Sinning as Sometimes Helpful

Ein Aya Shabat Chapter B Paragraph 51 (p2)

This dangerous concept must be understood in the context of the individual's role in the larger picture.

Life is Valuable- Even of the Unconscious

Ein Aya Shabat Chapter B Paragraph 36 (p2)

The fact that life supercedes mitzvot helps us analyze priorities and what life, faith and mitzvot are really about.

The Advantages of Obligations and Volunteerism

Ein Aya Shabat Chapter B Paragraph 27 (p2)

The delicate details of the many social and economic mitzvot simultaneously include obligations and educating to volunteerism.

Every Generation Understands and Benefits Differently from Each Mitzva

Ein Aya Shabat Chapter B Paragraph 26 (p2)

Learning a mitzva leads to identification and motivation, but realize it's just partial.

The Importance of the Meaning, but Also Details, of Mitzvot

Ein Aya Shabat Chapter B Paragraph 22

"Uniting the Whole"- the Meaning of Brachot on Mitzvot

What is the Goal of the Mitzvot?

Ein Aya Shabat Chapter B Paragraph 15 (p2)

Mitzvot are such a central part of our lives, but we sometimes forget what's their goal.

The Difference Between Mitzva and Kdusha (Holiness)

Ein Aya Shabat Chapter B Paragraph 15 (p1)

People often confuse the different aspects of spirituality, but the contrast between the means and the goal must be clear.

The Time and Place for Understanding Mitzvot and Not

Ein Aya Shabat Chapter A Paragraph 60

The Mitzvot include both Mishpatim (understandable) and Chukim (non-understandable). Rav Kook posits that the differentiation between the two is consciously unclear, because study turns the Chukim into rational, and society sometimes interchanges what was thought as rational into a chok (e.g. homosexuality may be seen differently, but it's always wrong).

6 Continuous/Constant Commandments