Beit Midrash

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19 Lessons
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    49 min
    General Guidance

    How to Improve Motivation to Learn & Observe? Post-Modernism!

    Ein Aya Shabbat 3, 1

    Very often even the most motivated & religious feel a lack of enthusiasm to learn Torah or wake up for shul. Similarly, Post-Modernism poses a great challenge for religion. A culture which is based on democracy & freedom, is skeptical about truth, is over-run with "Fake-News", and stresses myself and my "self-awareness" seems like an inevitable threat to Judaism. Rav Kook was a century ahead of his time, and directs us practically how Post-Modernism is meant to be used to our advantage, and help us rise to a new level of spirituality where we do mitzvot out of identification rather than peer pressure. This is the solution to strengthen our motivation whenever it weakens! Also, if looking for "My" Torah, when can one disagree with his rabbi? A Super-Important lesson & Game-Changer in education!

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Shvat 22 5782
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    32 min
    Ein Aya

    Senses Aid Our Logic and Logic Aids Our Senses

    Ein Aya, Shabbat 2, 282

    Ein Aya, Shabbat 2, 282

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 4 5781
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    35 min
    The Miztva of Learning Torah

    We're Not Out to Produce 'Space Cadets'

    Rav Kook: Pragmatism & Ideology Don't Conflict

    Some yeshivot see the ideal Jew as a "space cadet" in his idealistic dream-land, and yeshiva learning as a separation from the world. Contrarily, Rav Kook brings many proofs showing that the original Judaism, before being warped by exile, saw the ideal as practical pragmatism & the importance of learning Torah as united with "living the Torah". Being part of a Jewish society to fix all aspects of the world to implement a Living Torah & her ideals. He explains the halacha that one should pray where there are windows to show that our prayers, as the Torah, should be connected with the outside world. Even R. Shimon bar Yochai learned 12 years in the cave, 1st in order to analyze, & then to plan Jewish leadership to pragmatically fix society.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Nissan 25 5781
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    40 min
    Ein Aya

    All of Torah is Important: Halacha, Aggada and Kabbala

    Ein Aya, Shabbat 2, 249

    One of the major innovations of Rav Kook and his yeshiva is not only to learn the Talmud but to learn the broader Torah, including Aggada and Kabbala, as well. In many yeshivas they skip or learn the stories and aggadata in the gemara very superficially, and in doing so, are unfortunately missing out on one of the most beautiful, appealing and attractive parts of Torah. Similarly Kabbala and Hassidut are becoming more and more popular, and Rav Kook, already 100 years ago, writes that this "broad Torah" is what will keep Judaism's appeal in the modern and post-modern world, and can even help "return" those who left the derech, who are searching for something deep, emotional and intellectual.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tevet 15 5781
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    37 min
    The Land of Israel's Torah

    "Don't Be Too Machmir"

    Rav Kook on How the Living Torah Must Be "Normal" & Not Contradict Life"

    The Living Torah, or Torat Chaim, must not contradict normal life, & is not meant to aggravate nor make life difficult. Rav Kook teaches that God is described as "Melech Chafetz baChaim", and the physical world of work and even the secular aspects of life, should not be looked down upon. To the contrary, we should want to achieve and complete our plans in life, even in the field of hygiene and work. Especially in Eretz Yisrael, where the physical is also holy. Halacha, both Torah and rabbinic, is exact, and it's important to be meticulous, but not overly stringent, at the expense of life. Rav Kook provides a philosophic and hashkafic base for modern orthodoxy, and not shunning the secular world or secular studies.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 24 5780
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    49 min
    The Giving of the Torah

    Don't Just be Religious: Be Godly!

    Two Ways that Learning Torah Brings Us Closer to God:

    In general there are 3 ways of coming close to God: most common, either through emotion or intellect, but then Judaism adds: or to be "similar" [=close] to Him. The greatest gift that He could give us is the "Tzelem Elohim", or capability of imitateo dei, being Godly. The she'ur discusses the advantages & disadvantages of each approach to Him. Most importantly, we can't understand His Essence, but we can amd should understand His actions. This is the ultimate in both the Rambam's rational and also the kabbalistic approach to Judaism. Rav Kook explains that the 13 traits of God, as well as the 10 sfirot, all detailus what to emulate. This has far-reaching ramifications for prayer, study as well as defining our goal and potential in life!

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 4 5780
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    5 min
    Observations on Torah Study

    The Mysterious Sefer Torah

    When Stuart Mintz's life is saved twice by a Sefer Torah, he begins retracing his steps wondering if it might be the same one. A moving story that reminds us how Torah protects and supports those who support and uphold it.

    Rabbi Yoel Gold
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    6 min
    Observations on Torah Study

    Meet Mr. Appelbaum

    A 100-Year-old man reveals his life-long secret to staying healthy.

    Rabbi Yoel Gold | Nisan 25 5780
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    37 min
    Ein Aya

    "How Does Learning G'mara Make One a Better Person?"

    Ein Aya Shabat Chapter A Paragraph 83

    The stress in the yeshiva curriculum on Talmud study needs to be explained, and how the intricate laws and arguments there refine one's moral sensitivity.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 4 5772
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    35 min
    Ein Aya

    An Ideal Society Must Be Based Upon the Yeshiva

    Ein Aya Shabat Chapter A Paragraph 79

    Everyone should try and dedicate a period of his life to intensive Torah study, which serves as the base for choosing a mate, profession, location and all major decisions, and always live near a yeshiva.

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tamuz 55772
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    40 min
    Ein Aya

    The Stages and Goals of Jewish Education- Part II

    Ein Aya Shabat Chapter A Paragraph 55

    What age is it time for Torah, Mishna and Talmud Study? Part II

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tishrei 26 5772
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    40 min
    Ein Aya

    The Stages and Goals of Jewish Education-Part I

    Ein Aya Shabat Chapter A Paragraph 55

    Our rabbis understood the need for developmental education like Piaget. From what age is it time for Torah, Mishna and Talmud Study?

    Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tishrei 5 5772
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    1:06
    Korach

    Miracles and Natural Laws

    The Rambam's approach to miracles and laws of nature, as expressed in the splitting of the Red Sea and the punishment of Korah.

    Rabbi Chaim Eisen
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    53 min
    Shlach Lecha

    One Torah and the General Law

    According to the Rambam, the Torah's commandments are suitable for the general public and it is plausible that a private person might get hurt. Precisely this fact allows us to deepen and understand the wisdom of God.

    Rabbi Chaim Eisen
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    26 min
    Chaim in the Garden

    Kol Dmei Achicha

    Chaim in the Garden(5)

    Chaim in the Garden(5)

    Rabbi Chaim Tabasky | 1 Elul 5772
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    14 min
    Chaim in the Garden

    Torah of life

    Chaim in the Garden(4)

    Chaim in the Garden(4)

    Rabbi Chaim Tabasky | 3 Av 5772
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    20 min
    Chaim in the Garden

    The Tree of Life and The Tree of Knowing

    Chaim in the Garden(3)

    Chaim in the Garden(3)

    Rabbi Chaim Tabasky | 21 Tamuz 5772
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    16 min
    Chaim in the Garden

    The Sun and the Moon

    Chaim in the Garden(2)

    The discrepancy between G-d's plan and how it is realized, teaches us how to understand our own failures, to realize our aspiration.

    Rabbi Chaim Tabasky | 24 Iyar 5772
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    14 min
    Chaim in the Garden

    The Grass and the Trees

    Chaim in the Garden(1)

    Rashi quotes 2 rabbinic comments that indicate two paths of torah Interpretation, one legitimate and one not so.

    Rabbi Chaim Tabasky | 10 Iyar 5772
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