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Beit Midrash
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- Theft and Damage
Benny’s ruminations were interrupted suddenly, as a ball unexpectedly came within inches of his face. Instinctively, Benny hit the ball out of the way. A loud "owww!" drew Benny’s gaze from the sunset toward the sidewalk.
There, to Benny’s great surprise, was a man lying on the ground, clutching his face!
"Whaa? Are you OK?" Benny stammered.
"Not really" came the muffled groan. "The ball you hit away from you just knocked me over."
Benny helped the man to his feet. The two of them assessed the damage. The man was more startled than hurt. His glasses, on the other hand, looked like they could use some serious help. Or, more accurately, like they were beyond help.
"I know you didn’t mean to knock me over, but I really think that you should pay me for breaking my glasses."
If Benny had been startled by the offending projectile, he was even more shocked by the man’s suggestion. Did Benny really have to compensate the man for breaking his glasses? After all, Benny had just been trying to protect himself!
Answer of Rabbi Zalman Nechemia Goldberg, zt"l:
It seems that Benny is obligated to pay for the broken glasses. If he had been hit by the ball, instead of pushing it away, it might have hurt him a little. However, this action does not meet the criteria for "self-protection."
However, if the object flying toward Benny had been a rock, and not a ball, it seems that Benny would have been exempt from paying the man for the damage to his glasses. This is because a person is not expected to take a hard hit, without trying to defend himself. Therefore, such an action would be considered "self-protection," and the resulting damage would be considered "oness" (forced, i.e. against the will of the damager), and he would, therefore, be exempt from paying.
Summary:
Benny has to pay for the glasses.
(הערה- ראה ספר חשוקי חמד, בבא קמא כט., עמ' רח, שדן במקרה דומה).
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
