"Will Mashiach be More 'Dictator', 'President' or 'Prime Minister'?"

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 63

Rav Kook's innovative explanation of the Talmud regarding Uriah's sin in rebelling against King David, also consciously deals with his opinion regarding the type of government which Machiach is meant to lead, where he clearly will not be a dictator, but also not a prime minister. Rav Kook clearly agrees with his rebbe, the Netziv (Devarim 17, 14-15), who wrote that the form of government, whether democratic or a king, must be according to the popular will of the Jewish people. There are clearly ramifications as well regarding the modern democratic State of Israel which Rav Kook saw developing after the Balfour Declaration and founding of the nascent Knesset Yisrael.

Zionism Different than Other Patriotism

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 62

Rav Kook is often considered the spiritual father of religious Zionism. In this paragraph, his innovative explanation of King David, Bat-Sheva, Uriah HaChitti and the Amonite nation compares Zionism with other nationalism and patriotism of other nations.

Why the Wars & the Soldiers of Israel are Different

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 61

In this timely and especially important class, Rav Kook utilizes the gett (conditional divorce) which the House of David gave during war, to analyze why the soldies in the IDF and inevitably all Jewish soldiers, but especially religious Zionist chayalim fighting for Israel are altruistic and are able to rise above their natural instinct to survive for the eternal, moral, historic role of the Jewish Nation. The wars of Israel and the soldiers of Israel are inevitably different than the patriotism and nationalism found in other nations and wars who fight for more physical and temporary reasons.

Rav Kook on Rabbis & Leftists Who "Refuse to Serve" the IDF

(Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 60)

Rav Kook deals with the various opinions in the Talmud & rishonim of whether Uriah, the first husband of Batsheva, was deserving of death as a Mored b'Malchut (disobeying the king's authority). Rav Kook deals with the importance of the checks & balances which necessitate both a strong Jewish government and army, as well as a strong and moral Sanhedrin. He also deals with how every Jewish government, whether a king appointed by prophets, or judges (like Joshua, Gideon, the Maccabees, etc.) accepted by the people, or democratically elected governments all have a similar status regarding the obligation to respect and follow the law, and accordingly, both the "anti-Bibi" refusing pilots, as well as the Haredim who similarly don't follow the law of the land to serve in the IDF's milchamet mitzvah of self-defense, are severely sinning, especially during time of war, and at a time that the IDF is more than willing to meet all of the religious needs, in order to fill the present void of thousands of combat soldiers. They may even have the law of Mored b'Malchut!

Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 49

Sometimes the halacha apparently "needs" to be superseded by a greater cause. Judaism usually says that the ends doesn't justify the means, but Rav Kook discusses here when nevertheless it is allowed for rabbis to temporarily "sidestep" the halacha, and on what conditions it is warranted for rabbis to be more lenient than usual. Rav Kook reveals here some interesting autobiographical information, apparently regarding the Heter Mechira during Shemitta and when & why he allowed eating kitniyot oil and other controversial leniencies.

א, כו- "Punishments are a Natural Outcome of Wrong"

The Natural Process of Redemption is Even Better!

(Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 48)

For many reasons, contrary to popular belief, the natural process of redemption is, according to Rav Kook & the Maharal, is even better! The topic is connected with why the world was created via evolution and analyzing through examples why skipping stages in many aspects of life is counterproductive.

א, כה- "The Time & Place for Physical Beauty"

Ayn Aya Rav Kook's Classic Commentary on the Aggadic Portions of the Talmud

א, כד- "Sometimes Poverty is an Advantage

א, לט- "Reaping the Benefits of Tefilin"

א, כב- "Evil Undoes Itself!"

א, כד- "Sometimes Poverty is an Advantage

א, כא- "Why Live in a New Yishuv?"

When to Initiate Hastening the Process and When Not

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 47

When to Initiate Hastening the Process & When to Leave God to Decide? (Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 47)) How do we know when to work with God & initiate speeding up the process of redemption for example, and when to let Him do everything? Rav Kook connects this with the sin of Reuven and suggests an innovative explanation to one of the midrashim.

א, כ- "Tips for Educating Our Children"

Care in the Practical Details of Shabbat Brings the Recognition of Her Holiness

א, יז-

Ayn Aya Rav Kook's Classic Commentary on the Aggadic Portions of the Talmud

א, טז- "A Small Recognition Leads to Great Things"

Ayn Aya Rav Kook's Classic Commentary on the Aggadic Portions of the Talmud.

א, טו- " Benefits of Shabbat Observance"

Ayn Aya Rav Kook's Classic Commentary on the Aggadic Portions of the Talmud.

א, יד- Thankfulness- The Basis of Torah

(part B) of Ayn Aya Shabbat I, 14

Ayn Aya Rav Kook's Classic Commentary on the Aggadic Portions of the Talmud

א, יג- The Real Way to Shalom

Ayn Aya Rav Kook's Classic Commentary on the Aggadic Portions of the Talmud.