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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.
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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.
