The Neurotics of the Exile Mentality & Fear of Change

Rav Kook ingeniously explains this difficult aggadita about "Sandal Messumar", relating to the problem of "Fear of the Unknown", and the Exile Mentality, where fear becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. This analysis has many current ramifications regarding the individual and Israel's relationship with her enemies, as well as with America, and how to deal with anti-Semitism today in America, Europe and Australia.

"TANACH= HEALTHY SOULS IN HEALTHY BODIES"- Parshat VaYetzeh

Rav Kook explains the interesting phenomenon that the Tanach Heroes must also be physically strong and military heroes. He connects it with the Ideal Jew who is a healthy soul in a healthy body, which we must revive and educate today, with our return to Israel.

Orchot Tzaddikim- class 70, Teshuva part i

This class begins the new topic of Teshuva, discussing the greatness and need, the easiness and the difficulty involved. There is also an interesting aside relating to the greatness and importance of Yerushalayim, including a classic story told by Rav Soloveichik.

Taming the Inner Wild: Rav Kook and Harnessing the Power of Imagination

"Imagination" and "thinking out of the box" is one of the keys to success in hi-tech, music, art and western culture in general. Rav Kook deals here with the kabbalistic image of imagination as the "heel" or lower part of spirituality, which generally needs guarding and protection (symbolized by the shoes). On the other hand, he explains that this "breaking out of frameworks" is a necessary part of the process of redemption and modern creativity, and even the basis for the revival of prophecy.

"YA'AKOV DONS ESAV'S ARMS"

How can we understand that Yitzchak preferred & even considered giving the bracha of Eretz Yisrael to Esav? This short article explains a new pshat (literal understanding) as well as having important ramifications for today's current events between Israel & Hamas.

Decree" Come True? Rav Kook on Da'as Torah

One of the points of disagreement between most Hassidim and Misnagdim is regarding the g'mara in Masechet Shabbat: what does it mean that a "Tzaddik decrees and G-d will fulfill!" Similarly, there are various opinions about the significance of "Da'as Torah", regarding how much to ask rabbis & what is their "power" regarding mundane non-halachic issues. As always, Rav Kook has an interesting "take" on this.

"BUYING LAND/HOMES IN ISRAEL"

Avraham's "elaborate" and prolonged give-and-take to acquire Chevron has important eternal and practical messages, especially for the many New-Yorkers recently considering buying homes in Israel!

Orchot Tzaddikim class 68, "Speech" part iv

It's especially problematic to scare children, and "I was only joking" is not an excuse for Lashon HaRah. Similarly, the concept of "it takes one to know one" should encourage people not to talk bad about others, for you may be "projecting" your own faults. Today's class also (somewhat) reveals the identity of the author of Orchot Tzaddikim, for he (as previously!) holds like the maverick opinion of the Smag regarding giving others the benefit of the doubt, which he holds is a Torah prohibition! He also holds that revealing a secret, even after many years, is also a Torah prohibition.

Whose Torah? When to do Shlichut?

This class continues the previous one (Ain Aya Shabbat vi, 4 regarding many other factors which we need to take into account when weighing our own (or childrens' or students') learning, which often comes into conflict regarding the learning of others or weaker students, or teaching as compared with our own Torah study.

"PROACTIVE OR PLAY DUMB: AVRAHAM ACTS- AVIMELECH 'ALIBIS'

Many don't notice that our parsha explicitly pits Avraham Avinu as the ANTI-THESIS of Avimelech. After the Akeidah, Avraham is described: "now I know that you have YIRAT ELOKIM" (22, 12) as opposed to when he answers Avimelech's question, "what did I do wrong by 'accidentally' taking your wife?": Avraham precisely answers: "it's just that there is NO Yirat Elokim in this place". What exactly is that "Awe of G-d" that should typify our actions and get us to even initiate "Hineni", and conversely avoid the common search for excuses & alibis so prevalent in the western world?

Orchot Tzaddikim 67, Gossip- Lashon HaRah part iii

The class deals with many additional practical and common examples of Lashon HaRah. The best way to improve our speech is by learning as often and as many examples as possible.

Choosing a Chevruta (Study Partner)

Rav Kook's Guide for every Torah Teacher- How to Pair the Students!

This class is a "must" for every yeshiva rebbe & student, where Rav Kook finally answers the complex question every yeshiva has asked, of how to "pair up" the chevrutot (Torah Study Partners")? Should the stronger boys enter she'urim with the less learned? When should the stronger spend time "tutoring" the weaker students, when they themselves must still grow in Torah? When is it time for a yeshiva boy to go out and teach, or get a teacher's degree and/or semicha (ordination)? These common questions obviously have complex and subjective answers, but Rav Kook finally helps us organize the "time and place" for each type of study: with someone more learned, or less learned, or on the same level?

Orchot Tzaddikim class 66, Gossip part ii

The class deals with how to work in journalism & read newspapers, as well dealing with politics according to the laws of gossip & slander. Also to the power of words and positive speech. The class also deals with why Lashon Harah is singled out in rabbinical literature as particularly severe.

MAMDANI TO RAIN TO LECH-L'CHA

For someone who grew up in NYC with some 30 years of obviously Jewish mayors like Abe Beame, Ed Koch and Michael Bloomberg, the possibility of a proudly Islamic & anti-Israel Mamdani (who vows to arrest Israel's Prime Minister if he steps into NY), filling their shoes is a nightmarish reality. This is directly connected with last week's parshat Noach, this week's Lech L'cha, and the beginning of asking for rain in Eretz Yisrael.

"Don't Try this at Home!

Questioning G-d by the Great & by the Masses

Rav Kook innovatively explains some difficulties in two Talmudic stories via relating to the issue of questioning G-d, and the difference between the great Torah scholars and the masses. This issue comes up often in the context of the Shoah and offers much food for thought.

“Giants and Limpers”

Rav Kook on the Advantages of Various Physiques Among Rabbis"

Rav Kook deals prolifically & innovatively with just about every topic under the sun. Here he deduces from the Talmud how to relate to rabbis who are particularly tall (we included a list from the last century!), and rabbis who limp, and dealing with people with special needs.

Orchot Tzaddikim class 66, Gossip part i - Description & Source sheet

The Orchot Tzaddikim was written about 500 years before the Chafetz Chaim's classic work on Shmirat HaLashon and the laws of Lashon Hara (gossip and forbidden speech). This opening class explains why this prohibition is viewed with such severity in Jewish law.

IDF LOWERS OBSERVANCE?

“The Making of the Akeidah”- In preparation for Rosh HaShana

The innovative class deals with how Avraham Avinu's entire life was a step-by-step preparation for Akeidat Yitzchak.

Balancing How Much Make-Up & Jewelry (?)

via the Kedusha of Shabbat, Jerusalem & the Family

Rav Kook deals here with the eternal question: how much make-up & jewelry is good, and how much is too much. What is the difference between being attractive or "attracting"? Rav Kook innovatively answers through the Talmud's recounting the story of R. Akiva buying a "Jerusalem of Gold" ornament for his beloved wife Rachel, exemplifying their unique & loving relationship (as well as his unique biography & Torah), together with our relationship to Jerusalem, as well as the rabbinical decree that one cannot wear that jewelry in the public domain on Shabbat. This classing paragraph touches upon many topics in Rav Kook's thought on.