YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Mishpatim
From one perspective, the establishment of the State of Israel created a challenge for the poskim of the generation regarding the status of the secular courts in Israel. There was great pain for the Torah observant community when the government decided to base the State of Israel’s law system on Ottoman and English law. This was one of the driving forces in Rav Shaul Yisraeli z.t.l.’s decision to launch our Eretz Hemdah beit din system, in which we have clear rules and procedures, ethical guidelines, a clear arbitration agreement, and we are careful to seat talmidei chachamim with great Torah knowledge and a breadth of wisdom. Such a beit din can recommend halachic solutions for a host of contemporary problems.
We sought partners, including the Mishpetei Eretz research center, to prepare halachic position papers on crucial issues. These position papers become the standard for the rulings of the entire Eretz Hemdah-Gazit beit din network. The last position paper was on the matter of payment for causing the loss of profits.
We are obviously not able to reinstate authentic Torah-level semicha (ordination), and we are also not able to present to the public a holistic halachic legal system that is tailor-made for a modern economy. However, we are able to present litigants with a just solution to their disputes on virtually any topic. This we do on a regular basis, with professionalism and transparency, according to the principles of Halacha and Jewish justice, as our great poskim have done over all the generations.
According to the guidance of Rav Yisraeli, we see cooperation with the Israeli legal system as a means of promoting the solutions to societal problems. There are even some times when the rulings of the general courts are binding according to Halacha (see Mishpetei Shaul 43, regarding a unanimous decision by Rav Yisraeli, Rav Elyashiv, and Rav Aboudi).
We should also note that it is the state’s obligation to take care of the welfare and safety of the populace. This includes the penal elements of the court system. Rav Yisraeli (Amud Hayemini I,9:12) posited that a government that is supported by the people has the authority to punish those who commit felonies. This is not against the Torah as long as it is done to make society run smoothly. Beit din is allowed to get involved in such areas only under special circumstances.
We pray that Hashem will return us to a time of just courts, which will renew Yerushalayim to the status of the "city of justice" (see Yeshaya 1:26-27).
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.
