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The appointment of judges is hinted at as early as Parashat Beshalach (Shemot 15:23-25), right after yetzi’at Mitzrayim. The appointment of proper judges is spelled out in the pre-Sinai context of Parashat Yitro (ibid. 18:21-22). The commandment "for all generations" to make these appointments is found in Parashat Shoftim (Devarim 16:18).
Every organized society must build a system of justice that enforces the society’s rules. Because it is so basic, it is included in the system of seven Noahide laws. The more just the society’s laws will be, the higher the level of the society. A developed judiciary is also a sign of true spiritual and political independence. It sets the issues of the day from the perspective of values. The ability to enforce court rulings is a sign of complete sovereignty.
In the Kinot, which we recite on Tisha B’av, we will mention Rabbi Yehuda ben Bava among the martyrs. We know that he gave his life to preserve the institution of semicha (ordination) to serve as a dayan. The Roman Empire strove to eliminate it as part of stamping out Jewish nationalism. Mishpat Ivri (jurisprudence based on Halacha) without authentic semicha is limited. Without the "trick" of serving as agents of those with semicha from previous generations, we are almost unable to function at all.
At the time of the Great Revolt (66-70 CE) and at the time of Bar Kochva and R. Akiva, the Jewish people tried to achieve independence by use of the sword. Around 100 years later, R. Yehuda Hanasi did it with a quill. He decided to codify Halacha, including Mishpat Ivri, committing Torah Sheb’al Peh to writing, in the form of the Mishna. This made it possible to preserve the systems so that the judicial system could be reestablished when the time would come. 1,000 years later, the Rambam renewed the codification process with his Mishneh Torah. In order to solve the problem of a lack of s’muchim, he arrived at a wonderful (and controversial) proposal to renew semicha, which required a show of rabbinical unity. This would somewhat counteract the destruction, which came as a result of baseless hatred. Some 300 years later, Rav Yosef Karo felt the approach of the Liberation, and therefore he embarked upon another great project of canonization and was joined by Rav Moshe Isserles, in creating the Shulchan Aruch. At the same time, he was among the rabbis of Safed who tried to act on the Rambam’s ruling and renew semicha. They failed because they did not reach the level of unity in their actions, to make their idea accepted by the rabbis of Jerusalem.
In 1948, the new Knesset established a system of law for the State of Israel based on the Ottoman and British law systems (which were to a great extent created at the time of Rav Yosef Karo). We hope that our continued actions, at Eretz Hemdah, will contribute at least to a small degree toward the reinstatement of Mishpat Ivri for the Jewish community. Let us experience the fulfillment of "I shall return your judges as originally and your counsel to the way it was at the outset; afterward it will be called the City of Justice, a trustworthy city" (Yeshaya 1:26). Then we will be fit to be a model of behavior for the entire world (see ibid. 2:2-3).
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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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.
