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.

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

HAMAS REINTRODUCED THEMSELVES & OURSLEVES

Moshe's Sin- A New & Innovative Look

We all grew up on Rashi's explanation that Moshe's sin was that he hit the rock rather than speaking to it to bring out water, but there are more than 13 various commentaries. This class summarizes them, and suggests the 14th commentary, raised by the Shadal, but answers the question for which he rejects it!

Parshat Pinchas & Chukat: A New & Innovative Look at Moshe's Sin (easy Hebrew)

12 different commentaries differ with Rashi regarding Moshe Rabbenu's sin, that it's not simply that he struck, rather than speak to the rock to bring out water. This class deals with why it's so unclear and what is the "secret" explanation of the Shadal which is the only commentary which answers all of the difficulties and questions here

Rav Kook on the Importance of the Flag

Natural Life in the Land of Israel & the Tragedy of Galut

...Outside the Land of Israel, our engagement with the physical world comes at the expense of Torah and sanctity. We in fact see that the Torah studied in Exile shuns in an extreme manner many areas of natural life. Only when the Nation of Israel is in the Land of Israel is "normal," natural life enabled – for, in fact, even that which is material and physical is holy...

Freedom According to Rav Kook

Rav Kook's ideas on what true individual and national freedom is and how to attain it.

Can We Offer Today New Commentaries on the Tanach?

On the one hand, logic says that the true commentaries of the Tanach have already been revealed & taught for 3,300 years, and it even seems brazen to suggest that we can come up with new & true commentaries that Rashi & the sages didn't know or think of! On the other hand, it would be intellectually dishonest and disrespectful to the truth of Torah, if we were to ignore and not utilize the new vantage points which God has granted us through modern science, archeology, computers, Bible criticism & the return to the Land and State of Israel. The class gives many concise & practical examples and suggestions how to do so, and see the "Living Eternal Torah" as dynamic, exciting, personal, modern and as relevant as always.

Rav Kook: The Definition of 'Good' Is: 'Life'

Ein Aya, Shabbat 2, 230

Rav Kook explains why the constructive punishment for murder was the destruction of Y'rushalayim & exile from Israel. G-d loves life and is the force behind all life, and in fact, defines "Good" as "Life". The goal of the Torah is Tahara or Life, and accordingly murder, or the taking of life is not only tragic morally but ideologically and philosophically, stands, like Tum'ah, in total contradiction to the message of life, which supersedes the other mitzvot. Israel is meant to be a life-educating "Light to the Nations" from Y'rushalayim, through building an ideal Jewish State, but if we aren't fulfilling that goal, then our capitol and national life are counter-productive.

Prophecies and not Ahed of Their Time

Ein Aya Shabat Chapter A Paragraph 67

Rav Kook's novel approach to answering difficulties and apparent contradictions in Tanach, and geniuses who were "before their time".