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Beit Midrash
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Rav Yisraeli made aliya in 5694 (’34). In those days, some liked to quote the Rebbe of Munkatch, who "darshened" a famous pasuk from our parasha in the following way. "… and you shall not stray after your heart (Herzl, based on hertz = heart in Yiddish) and after your eyes (Kook, based on kook = look in Yiddish)" (Bamidbar 15:39). While that Rebbe warned against Zionism and the danger he perceived from our master, Rav Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen Kook, Rav Yisraeli had the z’chut to be a student of Rav Kook. The opponents of Zionism also claimed, in regard to our parasha, that the Zionists were like the ma’apilim, those who tried to go to the Land prematurely, before Hashem agreed to such a step (see ibid. 14:41-42). Rav Yisraeli understood that the greater danger was not the role model of the ma’apilim but that of the meraglim, the spies who incited the people to refuse to go to the Land. We believe the correct approach was that of the Gaon of Vilna, the approach that called for Jews all over to flock to Eretz Yisrael during the Jewish century of the 5600s, which ended in 1939, when indeed the gates to the Land from Europe were almost completely sealed.
Rav Yisraeli, who began his life in Israel as a talmid of Rav Kook, completed his period in yeshiva and went to make a desolate land blossom, both agriculturally and spiritually, as the rabbi of K’far Haro’eh, the first religious agricultural moshav, named after Rav Kook. From that seat, he "spread his halachic net" over the world of Israeli agriculture. He taught how the land could be worked efficiently in the 20th century while observing the land-linked mitzvot and those of Shabbat. His rulings dealt with broad issues with a great understanding of the intricacies of agriculture and of halacha. He helped fulfill the prophecy, "You, oh mountains of Israel, shall give your branches and bear your fruit for My nation, Israel, for they have drawn close" (Yechezkel 36:8).
When the State was established, Rav Yisraeli worked on enabling the state to be established as a Jewish State. He published many scholarly articles, proposing how to implement halacha in regard to different public institutions, from questions of politics, to ethics, to security. In 5725 he was invited to serve on the High Rabbinical Court in Jerusalem, at which time he became a major proponent of having "Mishpat Ivri" (the halachic rules of jurisprudence) take its proper place in the judicial system of the country.
When Rav Ehrenreich and I approached Rav Yisraeli with the idea to found Eretz Hemdah, he immediately foresaw the great need and opportunity in training a new generation of dayanim who could shoulder the responsibility of improving the Rabbinical Courts. He awaited the moment we could establish a network of batei din which could solve monetary disputes of all types in a modern economy.
Every year on his yahrtzeit, we hold a day of shiurim in his memory on some of the many Torah topics that were so close to his heart. We end with a prayer that we will soon witness an ever-increasing fulfillment of Yeshaya’s prophecy (1:26-27): "I will return your judges as in the beginning and your advisors as of old; then you will be called the city of justice, the trustworthy town. Zion will be redeemed with justice and its returnees with charity."
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
