WHAT CONVINCED YITRO MAY SWAY THE ANTI-ISRAEL TOO

We find that Yitro was convinced to follow the G-d of Israel for "Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the deities, for (precisely) with the thing that they plotted, [G-d brought] upon them(selves) (18, 11)." Rashi explains that the Egyptians drowned the boys of Israel, so in the end, G-d drowned their men as well. Why was this "Midah k'negged mida" (literally: "a measure for a measure)- so convincing for Yitro, even convincing him to actually change his life & join Israel? Similarly, this can help us understand why this theme of "V'Nahafoch hu…" (literally: "it was reversed", that the Megila flips everything Haman planned to do Israel, 180 degrees and brings upon Haman himself is so central also to Megilat Esther & the forthcoming holiday of Purim? We are not just speaking of irony, but of justice.

The Moral Benefits of Agriculture- Tu B'Shvat

The tanna R. Elazar writes that in the ideal world, all of us will participate in some form of agriculture, and that "a man without land is not a man". Aside from the mitzva of settling the Land of Israel, an overview of many quotes from R. Elazar will innovatively (but obviously) explain the many moral benefits (even in America!) of doing some gardening and having a deeper understanding of Tu B'Shvat.

Orchot Tzaddikim- class 78, Teshuva part ix

The class deals with especially interesting aspects of Teshuva (we're skipping and just doing the most interesting parts of the remainder of this chapter), including how G-d really helps us in this effort, and as opposed to man, He will accept us even if we have ulterior motives!

Ten Commandment Comparison

Many have attempted to solve the question, what is THE difference which can find the common denominator between all 31 differences between the 2 versions of the Ten Commandment? This innovative article suggests that our sages already answered this with one sentence in a well-known Midrash, just most never noticed that seemingly innocent sentence. It deals with the basic difference between the masculine side of the Torah and the feminine.

“Honor Requires an Audience”+ Tu B'Shvat

Rav Kook makes some very interesting "diyukim" (deductions) from this passage in the Talmud about when to wash or moisterize (with oil) right before left, and regarding anointing one's entire body, and relates to small "timely" fixings, as opposed to general improvement.

"FREEDOM CAME WITH A FLAG”- The First Flag of Israel

The Ramban explains that the exodus from Egypt was led by the first flag of Israel. This short article brings many unknown historic and halachic proofs of the importance of the Israeli flag.

Fix the Leak or Overhaul the Oil

Rav Kook makes some very interesting "diyukim" (deductions) from this passage in the Talmud about when to wash or moisterize (with oil) right before left, and regarding anointing one's entire body, and relates to small "timely" fixings, as opposed to general improvement.

On Extreme Progressive, Why Right Shoe Before Left & Summary of Lefty Halachot

PROTEKTZIA OR A BANANA REPUBLIC

Even in "Fiddler on the Roof" they mention that we wear the right shoe before the left, but why? Rav Kook's novel explanation surprisingly relates also to the danger of the Radical Progressive movement which sometimes intentionally blurs even that which should be clear, and even summarizes the laws which "lefties" do different than "righties", and when they do the same. Rav Kook's innovative mixture of halacha, kabbala and philosophy is especially interesting on this topic. BTW, there's an interesting halacha innovated by Rav Kook here which many don't realize (or intentionally omit) that he is the source!

Orchot Tzaddikim class 77, Teshuva part viii‏

The class describes the various mitzvot involved in kiruv, including an innovative explanation based upon the Rambam that this is actually part of belief in G-d, and loving Him, for the mitzvah is not just to believe but to get others to believe, as well, as inferred from the Shema and the word "liha'amin". The class also deals with the importance of not being cynical towards the rabbis or sages, even if one doesn't feel like observing, it's not beneficial nor intelligent to degrade the Torah and the greatest geniuses of Jewish history.

DO WE DESERVE REDEMPTION? “Blood, Covenant, and Return”- Parshat VaEra

Are we today so much greater than say the Rambam's generation? Why is G-d returning us to Israel & doing so many salvations and victories over Hamas, Hizballah, Syria and Iran in recent years, even if we haven't done Teshuva & seemingly don't deserve it?

Orchot Tzaddikim class 74, "Teshuva" part vii‏

The class deals with how to cleave and strengthen the G-dly trait of "Truth", the need to pray for Teshuva, the importance of returning that which was wrongly taken before saying Viduy, and other aspects of Teshuva.

Special Spiritually and Imagination on Shabbat

Rav Kook explains why that which is learned on Shabbat is considered so much greater than that studied during the week, and why creativity is that much greater on Shabbat, for better or for worse!

SECULAR IN ISRAEL OR RELIGIOUS ABROAD? WHAT'S BETTER?

Would it be better for all of the Jews to be religious outside of Israel, or to be non-religious in Israel?

Orchot Tzaddikim class 74, "Teshuva" part vi

The class deals with not "resting on one's laurels", and that not a few people who lived their entire lives idealistically, "lost it" upon getting older. Similarly the importance of not focusing on luxuries but on the necessities of life.

Seemingly 'Strange' Rabbinical Decrees- Not What You Thought!

Rav Kook suggests a very innovative and important "eye-opening" way to understand some of the rabbinical decrees which are particularly difficult to understand!

Orchot Tzaddikim class 74, "Teshuva" part v

Positive Chutzpah= Part of Redemption- Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself!

Rav Kook ingeniously explains why the Mishna in Sotah, already 1,800 years ago, teaches that "Chutzpah" is an essential part of the Ge'ula process, and in fact today we see the necessity and positive aspect of "Israeli Chutzpah". Similarly, Rav Kook elaborates in his classic article on "Fear", how Galut (exile) refined but softened us a little too much, and how exaggerated fear and phobia is one of the worst things in life, preventing people from thinking, activism, modernism and more.

MASHIACH ben YOSEF

the Leadership Duel between Yoseph and Yehuda- The Haftarah of VaYigash

Description: Our sages draw the confrontation between Yehuda and Yosef as the two types of leadership in Jewish history. Through this we can finally understand who exactly is that mysterious "Mashiach ben Yosef", and what Rav Kook (based on the Vilna Gaon) meant when he said that Dr. Herzl had a spark of that Mashiach.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 73, "Teshuva" part iv