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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.
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
