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Beit Midrash
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In Shemot 23:6-8, the Torah warns not to tip justice against the poor, to stay away from falsehood, and not to take bribes. The Torah (ibid. 9) forbids harming foreigners/converts. This is followed by three p’sukim on the Shabbat of the land (=Shemitta) and on standard Shabbat. Some of our great thinkers searched for connections between these matters.
The Alshich explains why Shemitta would come amidst rules of justice. If society is based on justice, then they will be able to follow the pattern of Shemitta – six years of agricultural work and one of refraining from it. The land will not tire despite six straight years of sowing. If there are perversions of justice, then famine will come and there will not be agricultural produce even on many of the years that are slated for it.
This idea is based on the Mechilta (D’Rabbi Yishmael, Mishpatim 20), which says that when Bnei Yisrael act according to Hashem’s will they do one Shemitta every seven years, and when they do not act in that way they have four "shemitot" in one seven-year period. The way the Alshich explains it, having a fair justice system has a special standing regarding fulfilling Hashem’s will.
The Ohr Hachayim connects the matter to the pasuk found in between the discussion of justice and that of Shemitta, the pasuk that discusses the ger. He says that since the Torah says that if we do not let the land rest on Shemitta we will be sent away and it will therefore have its rest (Vayikra 26:34), Shemitta observance is needed to prevent us from being gerim.
Let us suggest our own explanation along the lines of the above ideas. By keeping the mitzvot of Shemitta and making our fields the domain of all, we are, to a certain extent, turning ourselves into strangers in our own fields. We will be forced to make a living from things that are available, as opposed to sustaining ourselves in an orderly manner through hard work on our own property. This type of situation could harm, Heaven forbid, the strength of the feeling that everyone has his own property that no one can take. If every seven years, people’s property because ownerless, maybe it is not so bad to take it during the six years either. That is why, in proximity to the discussion of Shemitta, the Torah warns very strongly about propriety in monetary affairs and jurisprudence. The idea that matters of the spirit are more important than matters of the physical world in no way takes away from the importance of being morally careful about monetary matters.
May we merit seeing the fulfillment of both sets of mitzvot to their fullest.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
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.