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Beit Midrash
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Torah therefore is a treasure that all Jews have the right and ability to possess, study and analyze. It does not belong to any specific Jew or group of Jews solely. In fact the prophet warns us that "those who hold the Torah closely only unto themselves know not Me." The Torah does not belong only to the Charedim or to the datiyyim or to the dossim or to any particular political party or rabbinic group. It belongs to all Jews and its healing and inspirational words, ideas and values are public property. The error of many in holding the Torah as belonging to only one particular group of Jews is one of the spiritual tragedies of our time and society. It apparently leads those who do not ally themselves with the observant community to believe that they are free from their Torah study obligations but that in reality is not a true assessment of the situation and only polarizes the differences within our society. The Torah belongs to all and should be studied by all, each in one’s own way and abilities. And we should have confidence that the holiness of the Torah will in the long run affect people’s lives and behaviors and turn them towards good.
Seventy years ago the great Rav of Ponivezh, Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Kahaneman established a fledgling yeshiva on a barren hill at the outskirts of then Bnei Brak. There were many who were doubtful about the success of this ambitious undertaking. When asked "Who are you building a yeshiva for?" the Rav answered in all seriousness "For the inhabitants of Ein Charod." Ein Charod then was an extremely leftist and anti-religious kibbutz seemingly far removed from Torah study and certainly traditional ritual and observance. This month members of Kibbutz Ein Charod spent a day studying Torah, praying and discussing serious topics with the students and faculty of Ponivezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak. Ein Charod has been conducting a weekly class in Talmud for the past nine years. The class was established by a young man by the name of Zisling who lives on the kibbutz. Zisling’s grandfather, Aaron, was the first Minister of Agriculture of the State of Israel and one of the signers of the Independence Proclamation of 1948. The Torah belongs just as much to Ein Charod as it does to Meah Shearim. There is a quiet revolution occurring in our country as more and more Jews search for meaning in their lives and a stability of spirit and outlook. Throughout Jewish history the Torah has always made its way and preserved the people of Israel even in its darkest hours. It is available to all and its study by all should be a major goal of our society and its leadership. The words of Rav Saadia Gaon (9th century Iraq) "Our nation is a nation because of the Torah" ring loud and true in our generation as well.
The Miztva of Learning Torah We're Not Out to Produce 'Space Cadets'
Rav Kook: Pragmatism & Ideology Don't Conflict
Rabbis in Midrash
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Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
