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

הרב חרל"פ – אומות העולם בשלבים שונים של הגאולה

Orchot Tzaddikim class 53, "Remembering" part iii

SWEET DOESN'T MEAN PUSHOVER- Parshat Zachor

The ingenious & rational Rambam (hil. M'lachim 5, 5) adds several surprising words in defining the Torah mitzva to remember what Amalek did to us: "to constantly (!) remember their evil deeds and their ambush of Israel TO AROUSE OUR HATRED of them". We usually relate to hatred as something we are meant to overcome, and surely not "arouse", and definitely not "constantly"! Anyway you look at it, it's been 2500 years since there was a practical mitzvah to fight the Amalek children, so why must we constantly (?) "remember"? This short article analyzes the Jewish mistake which Hamas has recently helped us understand.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 52, "Remembering", part ii

The Educational Punishment Necessitating the Splitting of Judea & Israel

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 69

Rav Kook ingeniously explains our sages who say the punishment of the splitting of the Davidic kindgom into Judea and Israel (the ten tribes), was an educational punishment for David's splitting Mephiboshet's estate, giving half to Tziva, his servant. As he often does, Rav Kook ties this in to "current events", and why it's necessary for us to have 2 Mashiachs (ben Yosef=secular Zionism, and ben David), even though the ideal is just Mashiach ben David. For more on the topic, see my class on "Who Exactly is Mashiach ben Yosef?".

Orchot Tzaddikim class 51, "Remembering" part i

Tzaddikim are not Infallible or Naive but Identify &Fight Evil

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 68

Rav Kook analyzes the difference between the temporary dynasty of King Saul (and his grandson Mephiboshet who wants to rule in place of King David, who may have been more righteous than David's family), and the eternal dynasty of David and why the Mashiach comes from that family. Rav Kook also innovatively explains here why the Mashiach (Messiah) is named for that one action of anointing, and the difference between doing so with an animal's horn, as opposed to Saul who was anointed with a vessel.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 50, "Don't be a Miser"

"PATIENCE MY DEAR NATION" -for Parshat Yitro & Tu BiShvat

Purim- the Real Acceptance of Torah & Why the Costumes?!

Ayn Aya Shabbat ix, 69

Rav Kook explains the Talmud (Shabbat 88) that Purim, and not Mt. Sinai, was the real acceptance of the Torah, through an innovative explanation of Free Will. The class also suggests an innovative idea the customs of wearing costumes, eating Haman-Taschen & Kreplach & drinking wine on Purim, and how Am Yisrael never "really" sins, and G-d never "really" punishes.

Defense vs. Lashon HaRah

The Speaker, the Spoken & the Receiver via Rav Kook's New Account of Mephiboshet

Rav Kook analyzes the deeper problem of Lashon HaRa and how it changes a person to being more pessimistic and suspicious and other problematic character traits. On the other hand, kings and governments deal with issues where the stakes are so high, they must be suspicious and cautious, balancing it with optimism, morality etc. There are many ramifications here for the modern State of Israel. Rav Kook is at his innovative best suggesting several great new ways of looking at things and at understanding several stories regarding King David.

THANK TRUMP BUT SING TO G-D & the IDF- Parshat Beshalach & Tu BiShvat

Orchot Tzadikim, class 49, "Generosity" part ii

Other aspects of the character trait of "generosity", including how much must one pay for each mitzvah, what is the maximum, and how much to add to do a mitzvah in a finer way (Mehadrin). It's important to be generous in business, to protect your reputation. When to be careful of those who take advantage of your generosity?

The Severity of Lashon Harah But It's (Surprising!) Necessity for Leaders

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 66

Rav Kook analyzes the deeper problem of Lashon HaRa and how it changes a person to being more pessimistic and suspicious and other problematic character traits. On the other hand, kings and governments deal with issues where the stakes are so high, they must be suspicious and cautious, balancing it with optimism, morality etc. There are many ramifications here for the modern State of Israel. Rav Kook is at his innovative best suggesting several great new ways of looking at things and at understanding several stories regarding King David.