"What Happens to Us After We Die?"

"What Really Happens After We Die?" Heaven, Hell, Reincarnation & Revival of Dead Many people are curious but are scared to ask, what does Judaism say happens to us after we die? This class deals with the mainstream of Jewish thought as to what happens in heaven? In hell? Do we believe in reincarnation? Who gets into heaven & who's left out? Who is woken in the Revival of the Dead, and who not? What is the order of things after death? What happens in Y'mot HaMashiach (the Messianic era)? This concentrated class cites the sources to clarify many of these puzzling question. Also, why aren't heaven & hell mentioned more in the Tanach?

How Free is Free-Will

Ayn Aya Masechet Shabbat v, 38

Rav Kook describes the strenth of free will and why death was decreed after the sin in Gan Eden.

You Don't Live in a Vacuum!"

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 37

One of the disadvantages of western culture's obsession with ourselves, is that often we see people who make their daily life decisions, both small and large, as if they live in a vacuum, forgetting their surroundings, families, communities, Am Yisrael and previous, as well as future, generations. The fact that we don't live alone can sometimes be problematic, that it limits our "free-will" and we suffer from others' decisions & actions, but Rav Kook explains that it's also the solution, and we end up gaining a lot more than we lose by being part of something larger.

Death and the Transition Between Worlds

Rav Kook, Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 39

Death should not be scary but rather like a loving Father transferring his child to his bed. The world to come is full of "freedom and exemptions", but only after we gradually rise, through the challenges and mitzvot of this world.

How to be a Living Torah

Ayn Aya Shabbat 34

R. Kook corresponds here with R. Samson Raphael Hirsch regarding their difference of opinion in understanding the benefit of the mitzvot just through logic or also through the entire "Broad Torah", including Pardes, Hassidut, Kabbala, Philosophy and Mussar, and through "Knowing G-d"- analyzing & emulating His attributes.

Reaping the Benefits of the War on Hamas Without the Mistakes

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 33

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 33

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)

"All of Life- Preparation to Meet God"

The Intension of Israel & that of the Gentiles

Ein Ayah 3

Ein Ayah 3

"Israel's Spirituality vs. the Physicality of the Exile"

"Is There a Way to Know When We Will Die?"

Ein Aya Shabbat 5, 30

All people are curious to know when they will die, and Rav Kook offers an innovative and beneficial way of dealing with this issue.

Physical Abnormalities- Should They Be Covered or Not? Apparent

Ein Aya Shabbat 5, 6

Physical abnormalities are viewed differently by various societies. The issue of covering one's embarrassment has many ramifications also regarding the idea of Tzniut and covering our bodies. The class also relates to understanding the deformities or tragedies in God's perfect & holistic world. (Rav Kook's Ayn Aya Series, Shabbat v, 6)

Living Off of My Folks- The Tragedy of Unproductivity

Ein Aya Shabbat 5, 8

It's not uncommon in today's high standard of living and with the widespread fulltime Torah study of many kollel men for many years, for many people to continue living off of their parents or in-laws. Rav Kook deals with the problematic side of this phenomenon regarding both the individual, the society and the future generations (Ayn Aya Rav Kook English Series, Shabbat v, 8).

"Miracles: Better Off Without Them!" The Advantages of Nature Over Miracles

Ein Aya Shabbat 5, 3

Most people would love for super-natural miracles to return, but Rav Kook suggest many different (and surprising!) reasons why the laws of nature are actually preferable!

The Benefit & Necessity of Adam's Punishment of Financial 'Sweat'

Ein Aya Shabbat 5, 4-5

When God punishes, it is always educational and beneficial. How much more so regarding the famous human sin of Adam in the Garden of Eden which decreed that livelihood will be earned only through the "Sweat of your brow". Our rabbis teach that God will occasionally even do miracles and change nature, in order to keep this "law of nature" Rav Kook explains why this difficulty to make a living is so inherent, essential and basically "untouchable". (Rav Kook's Ayn Aya Series, Masechet Shabbat v, 4-5)

True Idealism is Practical- Not Naïve or Against Nature!

Ein Aya Shabbat 5, 9

Often idealists tend not to be practical or pragmatic, but Rav Kook stresses in thought, as well as in his life's work and projects, that if one really takes his idealism seriously, he should really want to implement it! (Ayn Aya Shabbat, v, 9)

The Drives for Procreation & Spirituality Overlap

Ein Aya Shabbat 5, 7

Rav Kook relates to the overlap between the two strongest of drives: for spirituality and procreation to continue the existence of our species, and to the psychological & Kabbalistic partnership between the two. (Rav Kook Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 7)

The Claim Against Rav Kook of Antinomianism- Belittling Religious Details

Ein Aya Shabbat 5, 10

Some professors have accused Rav Kook of tendencies of antinomianism- and belittling the details of Jewish law, for the sake of unbridled and free spirituality. This class deals with Rav Kook's own answer and explanation, towards the end of his life, to such accusations.

"Of All God's Miracles Large & Small..."

Both Nature & Super-Natural Are Necessary

The world runs both on the natural development of the individual, mankind and events, but also there are occasional significant turning points. Rav Kook analyzes the interplay of regular life with these "game-changers", and why both are necessary.

Why Should We Only Say "Yasher Ko'ach" in Israel?

Ein Aya Shabbat 5,1

What's the Difference Between Torah in Israel or in America?!