Rabbi Ari Shvat
Rav Kook's Torah, religious Zionism, the Land of Israel & Original Songs
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“AGAINST OUR BETTER NATURE- Why We Must Arouse Hatred of Amalek”
The ingenious and rational Rambam (hil. M’lachim 5, 5) adds several surprising words in defining the Torah mitzva to remember what…
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THE ‘EVIL’ IN TEHILIM?
Q. I am learning sefer Tehillim and see many references to tzadikim and resha’im (perfectly good people and evil people). Of…
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REFINING ‘PATIENCE’ W/ KIDS WHO LEAVE ‘DERECH’
Q. After dedicating 35 years and so much time and effort in raising and educating our children, how can I deal…
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WHAT CONVINCED YITRO MAY SWAY THE ANTI-ISRAEL
We find that Yitro was convinced to follow the G-d of Israel for “Now I know that the Lord is greater…
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RAISING ISRAELI FLAG (!) UPON EXODUS FROM EGYPT
The parsha teaches “and Bnei Yisrael left with a RAISED HAND” (14, 8). The Ramban (ibid, 5) explains that “they made…
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PROTEKTZIA OR A BANANA REPUBLIC
The exodus from Egypt towards national independence which we read about in Parshat Bo, fills us with pride and expectation, but…
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DO WE DESERVE REDEMPTION? “Blood, Covenant, and Return”
Q. Are we today so much greater than say the Rambam’s generation? Why is G-d returning us to Israel and doing…
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Secular in Israel or Religious Abroad — What’s Better?
Refusing the premise: why the question is like asking whether it’s better to have a mother or a father. Q. We…
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DELAYING ALIYAH FOR STUDIES AND CAREER
Q. My wife and I are talking about the future, in terms of living in Eretz Yisrael and graduate school. My…
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MASHIACH ben YOSEF and the Leadership Duel between Yoseph and Yehuda- The Haftarah of VaYigash
Some “accused” Rav Kook of allegedly declaring that Dr. Herzl was the Messiah. In light of this week’s haftarah, it’s important…