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Beit Midrash
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- Observing Mitzvot
It wasn’t long before a guard took notice of Chaim’s new headwear. And its significance did not escape the guard’s notice.
"Jew! Take that off your head or die!" the guard sneered.
The gun aimed in Chaim’s direction made him flinch for a second, but Chaim quickly recovered his composure. He stood straighter and looked the guard in the eye, but said nothing.
"Jew, did you not hear me the first time? Don’t you know what a gun is?!" The guard was now yelling.
Chaim stood stoically, waiting.
"Are you not afraid to die?" gasped the guard.
Slowly, calmly, Chaim spoke. "My kippa, this piece of cloth on my head, means that I know there is someone above me. He and He alone determines whether I live or die. So, no, I am not afraid to die. You believe that life and death are in the hands of Brezhnev, so you are terrified of death."
Was Chaim allowed to endanger his life, in order to continue wearing his kippa?
Answer of Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, shlita:
If a Jew is given the choice to commit idolatry, sexual immorality or murder, or be killed, the Jew must choose to give up his life rather than violate any of those three sins. However, if it is a matter of committing any other sin, or being killed, the Jew should commit the sin, and prolong his life. These rules apply under general circumstances. However, at a time when Jews are being pursued, in an attempt to convert Jews to a foreign religion, a Jew must give up his life rather than violate any prohibition, even a relatively minor commandment. (Sanhedrin 74, Shulchan Aruch 157, 1)
In Russia, at the time of this story, Jews were being actively pursued, in order to draw them away from Judaism. Therefore, Chaim was correct in refusing to remove his kippa.
It is important to note that, if the guard would, himself, have forcibly removed the kippa from Chaim’s head, Chaim would have been allowed to remove his kippa on his own. This is because Chaim would be incapable of observing the mitzva regardless, so it would make no difference if the kippa was removed by the guard or by Chaim. (See Biur HaGra on the above mentioned Shulchan Aruch, note 10.)
The authorities debate whether a Jew is allowed to give up his life under circumstances in which he is not actually required to give up his life. According to Maimonides, it would be forbidden for the person to give up his life, but according to others, it would be permitted. (See the commentary of the Shach on the above mentioned Shulchan Aruch, se’if katan 10.) In practice, many Jews throughout the generations chose to give up their lives, even in situations in which they were not obligated to do so.
In summary: Because our story took place at a time when the Russians were actively seeking to prevent Jews from keeping the Torah, Chaim acted correctly in choosing to give up his life, rather than remove his kippa.
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.
