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Beit Midrash
- Family and Society
- A Nation and its Halachot
- The Torah vs. Public Issues
The current contremps regarding David Rotem’s conversion bill introduced in the Knesset is a perfect example of prevailing over winning. The opponents to the bill, mainly the non-Orthodox groupings in the United States have prevailed. With a specious argument about somehow "dividing the Jewish people" (it is perfectly united currently isn’t it?) they have prevailed in forcing a six-month postponement of further consideration of the bill. Whether the bill in its present form is a perfect solution to an almost otherwise insoluble problem is certainly a matter of doubt and debate. But it should be clear to all by now after decades of trying to square the circle regarding conversion procedures that anything less than traditional halachically acceptable courts and conversion procedures will not be recognized buy a large and constantly growing community in the Jewish world. The drive of the non-Orthodox groups gives them a sense of prevailing, especially with that champion of prevailing and never really winning, the Israeli Supreme Court on their side, but ultimately in many cases these "converts" suffer tragic social and familial consequences, perhaps not immediately but certainly in the future. In my over fifty years of rabbinic experience I can testify to the heartbreak of grandchildren who now wish to marry into an observant Jewish family and find that their grandparents’ conversion is deemed questionable at best if not downright invalid. It is clear that temporary court and legislative accomplishments can mean very little a few generations down the pike.
The statistics regarding the eventual Jewishness of such converts who underwent a non-halachic conversion bear out the toll taken on the Jewish world and its future by such programs and initiatives. If there is no minimal halachic observance in a house the likelihood that the children raised there will have any positive attitude to Judaism, identity the Land and State of Israel and the Jewish people is abysmally low. If nothing is demanded of the potential convert in terms of life style changes and all is left simply to words and pious declarations there is little hope that the Jewish people or even the convert himself or herself will feel any benefit from what becomes an essentially empty ceremony. The Torah mentions thirty-six times, more times than any other commandment, the necessity to treat converts well, honestly and with great respect, all in recognition of the life-changing decision and action taken in becoming part of the Jewish people and its destiny. But the convert must be told realize and accept the true cost of one’s decision to be part of the Jewish experience. And that cost is outlined by the same halacha and its warmth and consideration that the Torah orders for the Jewish attitude towards the convert and for the convert’s own true eventual benefit. This halachic norm and tradition guarantees not only prevailing but eventually winning as well.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
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.
