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Beit Midrash
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Serving Hashem, Mitzvot and Repentance
- 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.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
