7 Lessons
The Heavy Price Paid by Rabbis, Leaders & Their Children
Ein Aya, Shabbat 2, 240
Most people don't realize the extent of self-sacrifice, both physical (financial, health, time, worry, etc.) & spiritual (e.g. their own learning, marriage, children) that rabbis, community leaders & general volunteers lose by serving their students & community. Rabbi's children especially suffer, resenting the high expectations from a very young age! Inevitably, some even rebel against religion or communal service, either consciously or sub-consciously holding "them" responsible for their lost time with their parent. Some rebel to gain their parent's attention. Rav Kook deals with these painful phenomena of literal Mesirut Nefesh (not just Mesirut "Guf"!) & the limits involved, explaining the importance of serving Am Yisrael= serving G-d.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Cheshvan 2 5781
Rav Kook on Youth: Either Spiritual Heights or Pornographic Cussing
Ein Aya, Shabbat 2, 232
Rav Kook deals with the unproductive problem of daydreaming, sexual fantasy and pornography, and how it lowers one into a feeling of depression and loneliness, precisely missing the companionship that a true soul-mate is meant to be. He also deals with the problem of cursing, swearing and unclean speech, and the relationship between our thoughts, speech and actions, whether when used properly or misused. The power of speech is also directly connected with the Land of Israel where Hebrew, prophecy and leprosy for Lashon HaRa are apparent. This helps us understand speech in a modern context.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tamuz 16 5780
Rav Kook's Tips on How to Keep Your Kids Religious:
Shabbat Candles & Jewish Pride
The Talmud in masechet Shabbat teaches that women who are careful to light candles (especially on Shabbat) can affect their children's spirituality. Rav Kook, explains this aggadita very uniquely, as well as that which is written there, that there's also a connection between our childrens' education and our care to observe Tzitzit & Mezuza.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 24 5780
Stealing the Afikoman
How to Keep Our Kids at the Seder and On The Derech of Torah
An innocent line in the gemara about "grabbing matzot at the Seder so children will stay awake", is open to 5 totally different explanations in the rishonim, where each one sees it as a springboard for his personal educational theory. Each of these chinuchi and psychological approaches will hopefully, not only keep our children at the seder, but also "on the derech" of Torah and Mitzvot, to stay religious for the rest of their lives. In addition to the Talmudic analysis, the she'ur includes humorous anecdotes and personal experiences, which were originally delivered at a Shabbat HaGadol Drasha.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Nissan 11 5780
Youth Isn't Just a Preparation for Life But Rather the Most Ideal Stage of Life
Ein Aya Shabat Chapter B Paragraph 6
As opposed to most societies which see childhood as a necessary stage of preparation to learn how to earn a livelihood, Judaism rates a person by his G-dliness, not his money, and sees youth as more "unadulterated" and natural.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tevet 11 5773
When to Be Strict and When Lenient in Life and Parenting?
Ein Aya Shabat Chapter A Paragraph 80
Everyon knows there is a need for both discipline and leniency, but can there be guidelines as to the proper balance?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tamuz 19 5772
