145 Lessons
"By G-d- Even Destruction is Constructive"
(Ein Aya Shabbat Shabbat 5, 28)
When one believes in God, even tragedies are really constructive and eventually beneficial. Similarly, every talent can also be challenging and sometimes detrimental. Rav Kook alludes here also to the constant evolution of mankind, the individual, and Jewish History.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tammuz 5783
"Various Levels of Bad & Their Exact Judgement"
(Ein Aya Shabbat Shabbat 5, 29)
Rav Kook offers a very innovative explanation of this Talmudic Aggada, how God's punishments are exact and just.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tammuz 5783
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.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Iyar 20 5783
If You're Not Part of the Solution- You're Part of the Problem
Ein Aya Shabbat 5,25
Don't Turn Apathy into an Ideal!
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Iyar 5783
Why The World Needs an Occasional "Shake-Up"
Ein Aya Shabbat 5,23
Ein Aya Shabbat 5,23
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Iyar 5783
"Rav Kook's 'Take' on the Current Turmoil in Israel"
Ein Aya Shabbat 5,22
Rav Kook explains the difference between secular Zionism and the Reform Jewry of his time.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Iyar 5783
Our 5 Levels of Life & Existence
Ein Aya Shabbat 5,21
One of the major themes of both Talmud study and Kabbala is to get used to understanding the world on various different levels. The world was created through the different "step-down" mechanisms like electric transformers, that direct us to climb back up in the same fashion. This is greatly beneficial also in day-to-day life.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Iyar 5783
When Even Rav Kook Identifies a Jew as Evil
Ein Aya Shabbat 5,22
Ein Aya Shabbat 5,22
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Nissan 5783
Truth is Inside-Out But Justice: Outside-In
When do we look at a person's actions, and when do we look inwards to his inner soul?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Adar 5783
The Benefits of Admonishing Even When Unheeded
Ein Aya Shabbat 5,17
Sometimes in life we know that our disagreement or rebuke will go unheeded, nevertheless Rav Kook points out 4 reasons why it's important to voice our opinion.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Adar 5783
Using & Misusing Natural Pity
Ein Aya Shabbat 5,16
G-d created us with a natural conscience to have pity on the misfortunate, but every midah (trait, but literally: measurement) by definitionת is good when used in the right amount, time & place, but negative when the measurement isn't proper and exact. What is the correct usage and incorrect misusing of our God-given sensitivity, and when should it even be overcome?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Adar 5783
"Even the Bad is Just "Gradual Good"
Ein Aya Shabbat 5,18
We believe that God is not only good but perfect, and so is His world. Accordingly, we must deal with the question of the "bad" in the world.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Adar 5783
The Road to Heaven is Also Paved With Good Intentions
Ein Aya Shabbat 5,19
Actions are obviously the most important, but words and even thoughts and intentions are also significant.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Adar 5783
Guide- Not Deride
Ein Aya Shabbat 5, 15
In an age of "political correctness", we must reassess the Torah commandment of of rebuke, especially when the child, neighbor or secular Israeli national leadership will not heed our admonishment.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Shvat 5783
influencing Our Families, Cities & the World
Ein Aya Shabbat 5,14
Three ways of influencing people are through our nature, emotion and intellect, and when to use each approach. Rav Kook reveals here also some autobiographical information about himself.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Shvat 5783
Who Cares Who Said What?! Why Rabbis Always Quote
Ein Aya Shabbat 5,13
Our sages and rabbis until today are careful to mention whom they are quoting, and even say that this brings redemption to the world. On every page in the Talmud we see how exact they are, often even debating which rabbi said a certain idea, and even when there is doubt regarding the author. Apparently this is very important and Rav Kook explains: why?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Shvat 5783
What Did Rav Kook Really Say on Vegetarianism- PART 2
Rav Kook was the first of our great rabbis to author an extensive work on vegetarianism. Unfortunately, he is often misquoted on this issue. This is the 2nd part of 2 classes which clarify what Rav Kook actually wrote on this ideal. This class also deals with the specific benefits of many mitzvot.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tevet 5783
When Nicety for Animals Supersedes Nicety for People
Ain Aya Shabbat 5, 12
We all know that even though the Torah already cared about kindness to animals 3,000 years before it's time, yet humans are clearly more important than animals. Accordingly, how can we explain that sometimes being kind to animals even supersedes being kind to people?!
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tecet 5783
What Did Rav Kook Really Say on Vegetarianism- PART 1
Rav Kook was the first of our great rabbis to author an extensive work on vegetarianism. Unfortunately, he is often misquoted on this issue. This is the first part of 2 classes which clarify what Rav Kook actually wrote on this ideal.
Rabbi Ari Shvat
