"Bad Thoughts vs. Bad Deeds"

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 80

Rav Kook innovatively explains a difficult aggadita which raises many questions, through understanding the differences between problematic intents and problematic deeds.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 58, "Stay Quiet" part iv

The class deals with the problems of sarcasm and being cynical, where it comes from, and what it can lead to.

"FIND MY SPOUSE"- Kohanim Can also Help!

There are so many available "singles" around & we must try and help them! This short article gives many practical, social, religious & psychological tips on how to find your (or your child's) soul-mate, as well as a Godly bracha geared especially for them, which is more helpful than any "Segula"!

Is it Time to Change Our Name to: "Religious-Zionist-Universalist"?

Rav Kook ingeniously explains that all ideologies can be defined within the major 3 ideologies of mankind: religion- nationalism- morality/universalism. These are also the 3 factions causing the disunity in Israel today. These 3 are all (and always were) based in Yerushalayim- the national, religious and universal capitol. All 3 are not only ideals, but also necessary to balance & make sure that the other 2 don't get extreme, and start putting down the others

Good Free Will Enables the Temporary Choosing of Bad, Even Terrible

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 79

The class deals, among other things, with how there can be bad in a world created by a perfect G-d? Also, how can we influence the nations without them influencing us?

Orchot Tzaddikim class 56, "Stay Quiet" part ii

Even the Wise Shouldn't Skip Stages

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 78

Rav Kook often relates to the gradual evolution of the individual and mankind, but here deals with the problem of those, like King Solomon, who because of his wisdom, thought that he could skip stages. This counterproductive haste, mistakenly thinking we can force the G-d of history, has many ramifications, including our relationship with the secular State of Israel and the current process of redemption. He also relates here to his explanation why women don't need the time-bound mitzvot, and the symbolism of the number 1,000 in rabbinic literature.

Relating to That Which is Difficult to Believe

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 75

Rav Kook deals here with , the importance of studying history, even regarding thoughts or plans that were raised but not implemented. G-d runs the world on many levels and we shouldn't just relate to actions that came into fruition, but also thoughts, intentions and dreams. Children think that only that which you see is what exists, but today, sound waves, electric waves, antennas and even modern art show a more mature mankind that we are ready also to think more abstractly. This concept provides an innovative way of understanding various incidents mentioned in the Tanach, Talmud and Midrash, as well as aspects of emuna or faith that some may find difficult to believe or understand.

The Yom HaZIKARON SIREN- EVERY ARROW NEEDS A HEAD!

What do we and should we think about during the national siren in Israel on Yom HaZikaron? What is the significance, and what are the spiritual benefits and messages of Yom haZikaron? What are those who miss this experience missing out on? (see also my class here on "Wars & Selflessness", and the entire series of Orot HaMilchama of Rav Kook)

Tolerance but Not at All Costs

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 73

Rav Kook innovatively explains how did King Solomon even consider building alters for the idolatry of his wives?! He deals with the 2 ways of Kiruv: having the non-religious go "Cold-Turkey" to the extreme, totally severing all ties with their past; or alternatively: showing tolerance and gradually convincing them to see the good in their present life-style but to leave the bad and advance gradually. Rav Kook, although usually seeing the good in everything, & taking the gradual more tolerant approach, here shows the other side of the coin, & differentiates why regarding certain "red-lines" like idolatry, there is "zero tolerance".

BETWEEN YOM HASHOA & YOM HAZIKARON

The two "heaviest" days of the year in Israel are "Yom HaShoah" and "Yom HaZikaron". There's a special feeling when not only does your school commemorate them, but an entire country stops in solidarity, standing at attention for the siren. Nevertheless there are several significant differences symbolized by the week differentiating between the two.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 56, "Stay Quiet" i

The Solution to 'Risky' Intellectual Topics

Ayn Aya, Shabbat v, 72

Parents, teachers and rabbis grapple with the issue of what to do with risky intellectual topics or controversial questions that sometimes can cause more harm than good! Rav Kook, as always, has some innovative suggestions on the topic, which are highly recommended and relevant for all parents and mechanchim, and also deal with the advantages and disadvantages of more "open" or "closed" education for our children, in the challenging generation of today.

CLEANING FOR PESACH: BETWEEN 'FEELING' & 'BEING' RELIGIOUS

All yeshivot close their doors from Rosh Chodesh Nissan, because cleaning for Pesach, like many mitzvot, is about "being religious" or G-dly, even if they don't get most of us to "feel religious". Often a sick person feels wrong when the doctor and rabbi insist that he not fast on Yom Kippur. Yes, it doesn't "feel religious" to eat on that day, but, as opposed to Christianity and the Samaritans, Judaism is based upon many G-dly actions (including saving life), many of which only activate our religious feeling upon learning the deeper or kabbalistic aspects of those mitzvot. Similarly, one of the major problems among many Haredim is their claim "we feel more religious learning in yeshiva than serving in the IDF". Nevertheless, before "feeling religious", one must first "be religious".

Example of Shifting Gears to Build a Jewish Nation

Erev Pesach which Falls on Shabbat

This year's unique situation of "Erev Pesach which Falls on Shabbat", and especially during the war in Israel, is a classic example of the difference between Rav Kook and religious-Zionism, as opposed to Chabad and Haredi Judaism, and the need to shift gears to build a Jewish Nation. To care not just for our religiosity, but about EACH OTHER'S religiosity AND security. Our historic and fortunate period in Jewish history also involves rising and in fact returning to the authentic Torah outlook & realization, that we are not individuals in a tiny shtetl, but once again, we are the authentic Am Yisrael with the Living Torah and mutual love and responsibility.

What was King Solomon's Mistake? Truth must be 100% Clarified

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 71

Rav Kook deals with the basic difference between emotion (which sometimes must be overcome) as opposed to intellect and truth, which must always be clarified, for there is no such thing as 99% true! Accordingly, he suggests an innovative explanation as to what caused King Solomon to sin, and the great challenge in running a Jewish State.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 55, "Forgetfulness"

Among things we should always remember, is to focus on how how our essence is our knowledge and spirituality, for a person who looks fine but is a fool is a tragedy. Also, to focus on concentrating during prayer, and many more things.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 54, "Remembering" part iv

Orchot Tzaddikim class 55, "Forgetfulness" i

Achdut- Uniting (Even!) the Opposites as THE Central Theme in Rav Kook

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 70

Both R. Moshe Tzvi Neria and Prof. Avinoam Rosenak have summarized the philosophy of Rav Kook in the term, "Uniting the Opposites", which is the ultimate in monotheism and unity. This very important class deals with this concept via Rav Kook's understanding of the unique role of the House of David, the splitting of the kingdoms of Judea and Israel, the benefits of galut, and the subsequent current gathering of the exiles, as well as the current rift in Israeli politics and how to achieve Achdut, unity