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Beit Midrash
- Family and Society
- A Nation and its Halachot
- Conversion
- Family and Society
- A Nation and its Halachot
- Army and War
The gemara (Yevamot 24a) states that, out of concern for insincere conversion, "they did not accept converts at the time of David and Shlomo." Beit din is to accept converts, says the gemara, in generations in which the Jews are not at such a high station on the international stage. The Rambam (Issurei Bi’ah 13:15) also states that they did not accept converts at the time of David, out of concern that he was doing it out of fear, and at the time of Shlomo, out of concern that he was doing so due to the glorious kingdom and the financial opportunities it provided. He writes that one who converts "because of a matter that is one of the vanities of the world is not a righteous convert." However, he continues, "nevertheless there were many converts who converted at the time of David and Shlomo in front of simple people…," and that the Great Rabbinical Court took a cautious attitude toward them.
We see also the respect that was shown at David’s time to converts from the story of the Givonim (see Yevamot 79a). The gemara tells of the extraordinary punishment of those who had caused the converts hardship, meted out by David after divine instruction. This was due to the chillul Hashem that would result from the treatment of the converts, and it allowed punishments in a manner that went beyond the normal rules of punishment. In any case, there appears to be a contradiction between the different approaches to the converts at the time of David, a time in which the general rule was to not accept converts at all.
The resolution to the contradiction is simple. There were many who joined David’s army or joined general Jewish society at that time, due to their enthrallment with David’s personality, his fine attributes, and the general high moral level of Bnei Yisrael at that time. Such people were welcome to join Klal Yisrael, whether to serve in the army or to be converted. There were others who were interested due to Bnei Yisrael’s financial situation or other ulterior motives. This was considered conversion not with noble intentions, and only simple people were willing to convert them (although it is evident from the Rambam their conversion took hold halachically).
In our times, the situation has similarities. We welcome with open arms those who want to join the IDF if they want to be part of the divine enterprise of the return of Klal Yisrael to its Land. In general we will welcome anyone whose joining our people is to the fullest extent, and certainly if they are willing to sacrifice their lives on behalf of the nation and the Land.
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
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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
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
