Decoding the Shofar Code

This class (in easy Hebrew) decodes the difference between the t'kiya and t'ruah sounds (shvarim is just another t'ruah, as written in the Talmud), giving many practical examples from everyday life where these two sounds are differentiated. This fits in perfectly with other philosophic and kabbalistic ideas on the topic.

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"

Can Z'chut Avot Ever "Run-Out"?

How does Z'chut Avot (merit of our fore-fathers) work? Why should their actions thousands of years ago, still be effective, say if over the more than 100 generations, we may have done many more sins that eventually out-weigh even their many merits? And if so, does that mean that there possibly may not be a ge'ula (redemption), if we really don't deserve it? Especially today, when most Jews (especially outside of Israel), aren't that observant, this topic is particularly pertinent. As usual, Rav Kook zt"l has an innovative approach to the topic. (Rav Kook, Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 31)

"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.

"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.

"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.

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.

Rav Kook on the Importance of the Flag

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!

Why The World Needs an Occasional "Shake-Up"

Ein Aya Shabbat 5,23

Ein Aya Shabbat 5,23

"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.

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.

When Even Rav Kook Identifies a Jew as Evil

Ein Aya Shabbat 5,22

Ein Aya Shabbat 5,22

"My 4 Sons" Rav Kook on the Pesach Haggada

Much has been said on the 4 sons of the Haggada, but as always, Rav Kook has an innovative take on this. The class begins with a short chiddush on the Haggada of the ideologue Prof. Amnon Shapira of the religious kibbutz Tirat Tzvi, who's funeral was right before the class, where he explains that questions are so central to the Haggada, because a slave cannot ask questions. In fact, the Exodus which we celebrate was the turning point of mankind, in terms of freedom, free will, questioning, rational thought, and really all of modern thought.

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?

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.

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?