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According to one opinion (Avoda Zara 64b) a ger toshav is someone who accepts all the mitzvot of the Torah except for eating neveilot. Our mentor, Rav Shaul Yisraeli z.t.l. (in Chavot Binyamin 67), asked: Why would someone who is willing to accept almost everything not go a step further and become a ger tzedek (a full convert)? Let us introduce two issues before trying to answer the question. Chazal tell us that a convert has a status of a newborn child, a categorization that applies to lineage in regard to the laws of incest. This concept, whose source is far from clear, applies to converts over the generations but did not apply to Bnei Yisrael at Sinai, even though they underwent a conversion process at the time.
The process of conversion has three parts: accepting the mitzvot, circumcision (for men), and tevilla (immersion). According to Tosafot, only the former requires a beit din. Rav Yisraeli explains the process of acceptance before beit din and many other things as follows. In order to convert, one must be accepted into Bnei Yisrael by representatives of the nation (i.e., a beit din). Beit din is authorized to do so only if the candidate is willing to accept the mitzvot; once he is told about some of the mitzvot and accepts all mitzvot, his obligation in them is not the result of his acceptance of the mitzvot but of his acceptance into k’lal Yisrael. This is the idea behind the most famous convert’s statement: "Your nation is my nation, and your G-d is my G-d" (Ruth 1:16).
The conversion process begins with an act of national acceptance. A non-Jew’s independent acceptance of mitzvot is meaningless; conversion without national acceptance is not conversion. As one changes national affiliation, he assumes a new identity regarding lineage while keeping his identity regarding personal matters. When Bnei Yisrael converted at Sinai, they did so as a nation together and thus the concept of new lineage did not apply. One who embraces the precepts of the Torah but is unwilling to change national identity can be a ger toshav, not a ger tzedek.
Ramifications of this thesis include that while conversion can occur only for one who accepts mitzvot, his or her failure to keep them afterward does not undo the conversion. Also, one’s interest in being part of the nation is an important consideration for beit din in determining who is fit to be a ger.
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The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
