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Beit Midrash
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The responsa before us was written to explain to someone the basics in an area of halacha the latter did not understand, not as a response to a specific case. Nevertheless, an element of the teshuva made it into the halachic classic, the Beit Yosef, Choshen Mishpat 346. The matter is the concept of b’alav imo (see Shemot 22:13-14), whereby if the owner of a borrowed object was working for the borrower at the time of the borrowing, the borrower does not have to pay if something happens to the object. This is perhaps the classic example of a chok within the laws of monetary affairs. One of the interesting things about this response is that the chiddush is in the interplay between Choshen Mishpat and Orach Chayim, specifically regarding communal matters of a shul. This is the section of the responsum upon which we will focus.]
First, realize that if the owner is working for the borrower (or any other type of watchman), it does not make a difference if the work involves the owner’s object. The gemara (Bava Metzia 97a) says that certain workmen for the people of the city, including the barber and the bloodletter (doctor is approximately the modern equivalent) are considered working for the people of the city in general. The gemara also tells about the debate between Rava and his students. The latter claimed that regarding these halachot, Rava would be considered working for them. Rava responded that it was the students who were working for him, since he could choose the curriculum. The gemara concludes that generally Rava was right, but at certain times of the year, when the subject matter had to relate to the issues of the time of the year, Rava was considered their worker, and if they lost his object, they would be exempt.
We can learn from these gemarot the halacha in the following application regarding public servants. A set community chazan is considered a worker of the members of the community as a whole, so that they would not be responsible if they failed as watchmen for his object. At the same time, the people of the city are also working for the chazan, as he can force them to assemble to ensure that there is a minyan for the services he wants to lead. One might want to claim that if there are more than ten people in the city, each one could say that he is not obligated toward the chazan, as he can refuse to come since there are others to form the minyan. However, that would not be correct, as we can see from the discussion regarding Rava. Although any individual student could say that the shiur could go on without him, since he is part of a group that must assemble for Rava’s shiur, each member of the group is considered as one who is working for the teacher. The same is true regarding the community and its chazan.
P'ninat Mishpat (829)
Various Rabbis
291 - Applying the Law
292 - Authority to Rule Based
293 - Accessory to an Alleged Crime
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: A Contractor’s Leaving the Job in the Middle – part III
based on ruling 84013 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Problematic Lights?
based on appeal of ruling 84085 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
