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Sometimes the halacha apparently "needs" to be superseded by a greater cause.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.

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.

Improve the Present-U Can't Skip to the Future

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 46

The class deals with Rav Kook's way of presenting Kabbala rationally. It deals with the aspects of the revealed world (termed "Rachel") and the hidden world ("Leah"), and how the aspects of appreciating the present (happiness) interplays with the challenges with which life surprises us, giving us opportunities for constant free will to destine those challenges, and build a solid and beautiful future as well, as individuals and as a nation. Keeping one eye on the future doesn't contradict our living in the present.

4 Detractors of Z'chut Avot

The Talmud teaches that Z'chut Avot (the merits of our fore-fathers) can eventually run out, if Am Yisrael has too many "debits" or sins. Rav Kook analyzes the various opinions regarding the 4 points in Jewish history when the sages felt that Z'chut Avot finished, and how we manage since then.

Was Reuven Saved from Sinning

Rav Kook analyzes the various approaches in the Talmud regarding Reuven's sin with Bilha, and suggests an innovative explanation as to why the "ceremony" of the blessings & curses by Mount Gerizim and Mount Eval (upon entering the Land of Israel) adds to those mitzvot already commanded previously. (Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 45)

Rav Kook's Innovative Approach to the Sins of our Biblical Fathers.

Ayn Aya, Shabbat v, 44

Rav Kook, as expected, has an innovative approach to the places in Tanach where it's written that our Biblical heroes sinned, but sometimes our sages say that it wasn't so. Just as different ages require different educational approaches, similarly it's anachronistic to think that the eternal Torah cannot be understood differently in different generations. The messages are eternal but how to leave those same impressions may vary depending on age and time period. The Torah speaks on various levels, and the Written Law and Oral Tradition work together on these different levels. Rav Kook deals here also with midrashim that aren't necessarily meant to be taken as factual. (Ayn Aya, Shabbat v, 44)

Why They-re Called David ben Yishai - Mashiach ben David.

(Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 42)

Why are these 2 figures especially called by their fathers' names? This class deals with a very innovative explanation of an interesting and difficult midrash in Masechet Shabbat referring to the 4 who never sinned, especially Yishai, the father of King David. Also, Rav Kook deals here with the classic question, if the Davidic dynasty is so central to Judaism, why is it that through most of Jewish history it didn't function? Similarly, why is G-d's promise to David that his descendents will once again return to function?

The 4 Who Never Sinned

Rav Kook explains the Initial - Inevitable Flawlessness of Israel .

Rav Kook's innovative explanation of this puzzling gemara/midrash reveals new light on why these 4 character's never made any mistake, and just "died because of the sin of the snake, Adam & Eve. Rav Kook deals with the difference between the 1st line of heroes who all sinned, and those before and after them, who didn't. This classic class deals with leadership, as well as how the sources claim that Israel if flawless, even though we see our shortcomings! (Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 40)

Evil is Good-Just the Wrong Size

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 40

This particularly important class deals with how Judaism views the purpose of bad or evil in the world, and how it serves the good. Rav Kook suggests an innovative explanation to the sin of the snake and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

"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)