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| Harnessing the Power of Esau |
| By Rabbi Avraham Isaac Kook zatza”l |
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| Parshat Toldot - Most blessings are of rabbinical origin. There are, however, two exceptions to this rule — blessings that are derived directly from the Torah itself… |
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| Father of Many Nations |
| By Rabbi Avraham Isaac Kook zatza”l |
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| God changed Abram's name to Avraham and explained that this new name is an abbreviation of Abraham's new status — he is "av hamon goyim," the father of many nations. |
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| The Walk of the Righteous |
| By Rabbi Avraham Isaac Kook zatza”l |
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| Not all tzaddikim are equal. Different individuals attain different levels of holiness. The Torah calls highlights these distinctions when it describes Noah and Abraham… |
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| Be Happy! |
| By Rabbi Avraham Isaac Kook zatza”l |
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| Simchah comes from the perception that some unexpected boon has befallen us, like being able to connect to God — a gift far beyond our true level… |
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| Amalek: Constructive Destruction |
| By Rabbi Avraham Isaac Kook zatza”l |
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| Amalek's goal was to attack the nation who bears God's Name in the world. Amalek could not tolerate the idea of a people with whom God made a special covenant… |
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| The Wisdom in Civil Law |
| By Rabbi Avraham Isaac Kook zatza”l |
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| The bench of the Great Sanhedrin was most prestigious. All judges are required to be wise and humble, to love truth and hate bribes, to be well-liked and respected. |
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| Two Stages of Redemption |
| By Rabbi Avraham Isaac Kook zatza”l |
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| The redemption from Egypt took place in two stages – the stage of inner freedom and the stage of bodily freedom… |
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| Bread and Torah |
| By Rabbi Avraham Isaac Kook zatza”l |
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| Most blessings are of rabbinical origin. There are, however, two exceptions to this rule — blessings that are derived directly from the Torah itself… |
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| The Book that Moses Wrote |
| By Rabbi Avraham Isaac Kook zatza”l |
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| While righteous indignation stems from sincere and pure intentions, the highest goals of holiness will only be achieved through calm spirits and mutual respect… |
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| Two Paths to Purity |
| By Rabbi Avraham Isaac Kook zatza”l |
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| There are two ways to purify: you can destroy the vessel in order to destroy evil altogether, or you can save the vessel and channel the forces of evil into doing good… |
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| Refining Zeal |
| By Rabbi Avraham Isaac Kook zatza”l |
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| When G-d gave Pinchas a covenant of peace, He affirmed that Pinchas' act of zealotry — defending Israel from idolatrous influences — was performed with pure motives… |
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| Two Sides of Growth |
| By Rabbi Avraham Isaac Kook zatza”l |
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| The tent and the mishkan are both forms of temporary shelter. Both relate to the soul's upwards journey. However, they differ in a significant aspect… |
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| Religious Rage |
| By Rabbi Avraham Isaac Kook zatza”l |
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| While righteous indignation stems from sincere and pure intentions, the highest goals of holiness will only be achieved through calm spirits and mutual respect… |
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