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Beit Midrash
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The obligation to establish batei din of those who are ordained to serve as religious judges is one that singles out Eretz Yisrael. This is the site of the Great Rabbinical Court, the court of 23 and many simple courts of three spread throughout the Land.
What are the characteristics we demand for each dayan, a matter that we hammered out with the guidance of Harav Shaul Yisraeli z.t.l.? And how do they find expression in who we invite to join Eretz Hemdah’s program, whose participants are trained to serve as dayanim?
The Rambam (Sanhedrin 2:1) writes that to be a member of a Sanhedrin, men need to be "smart and wise, exceptional in the wisdom of the Torah, possessing great knowledge." It is obvious that in order to be a dayan, one needs broad and deep knowledge of Torah, i.e., Shas and poskim. That is the reason that our program includes the study of all of Seder Nezikin and the Choshen Mishpat section of Shulchan Aruch, as well as Seder Nashim and the corresponding Even Ha’ezer section of the Shulchan Aruch.
However, ability to master these materials is insufficient to be fit to serve as a dayan in our understanding. Notice how many adjectives the Rambam (above) uses for the intellectual qualifications of the dayan: smart, wise, …
In describing the investigation that a kohen did into a person’s tzara’at, it twice mentions seeing within the same time frame (see Vaikra 13:3). What is the difference between the two seeings? The Meshech Chochma explains that the first one is to evaluate if the lesion is one that identifies as tzara’at. The second one, he argues, is to see if the person is in the situation to be declared a metzora. For example, if he is a new groom or if it is a holiday, it is not the opportune time to declare him impure, as it would contravene the concept that the Torah’s ways "are ways of pleasantness." The kohen must take a good look at the person upon whom he is passing judgement.
The Meshech Chochma’s idea is another reminder that book-knowledge is a condition for many things including dayanut, but it is not sufficient. One must turn the Torah into a Torah of life by seeing things more deeply and in additional dimensions.
The Rambam continues that the dayan needs to know a little about the rest of the areas of knowledge, such as medicine, mathematics, and astronomy. These too are necessary for one to have the title of Yadin Yadin. Furthermore, the Rambam mentions that knowing foreign languages is also valuable for the dayan. Nowadays, someone who is fluent in English can communicate effectively with most people in Israel who do not speak Hebrew. Since in the Rambam’s time there was no such language, he was more stringent and required knowing most of the languages. In any case, a great portion of the Eretz Hemdah’s dayanim are fluent in a language other than Hebrew and have an academic degree.
We pray that Eretz Yisrael and Eretz Hemdah will be praiseworthy for having more and more dayanim who sanctify His Name, and can connect heavens and earth through a Torah "whose ways are ways of pleasantness."
Peninei Halakha 11. Shaving One’s Beard During the Three Weeks
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
Peninei Halakha 11. Shaving One’s Beard During the Three Weeks
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
