articles on Ein Aya
Lessons on Ein Aya
Truth Must be 100% Clarified
Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 71
Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 71
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Nisan 5785
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
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Adar 5784
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?".
Rabbi Ari Shvat | 26 Shevat 5784
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.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | 18 Shevat 5784
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.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | 11 Adar 5784
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.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | 12 Shevat 5784
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.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | 5 Shevat 5784
