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Beit Midrash
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Yossi looked up, as the bell at the entrance to the store rang. The approaching customer was someone Yossi recognized, from around the neighborhood. Yossi strained to think of the young man’s name. Mordechai Eliyahu. That was it. Yossi was pretty sure that this man was married, with children. So how could it be that his entire Shabbat order, every week consisted of only…
"One quarter of a chicken, please." The customer’s polite request strengthened Yossi’s resolve. It was time to get to the bottom of this.
"Of course," Yossi responded, turning as if to fill the order. "Just wondering, how many people live in your house?"
The young man smiled broadly at the question. "Thank G-d, my wife and I are blessed with two children."
Yossi couldn’t contain himself at this point. "How could a quarter of a chicken possibly be enough for a family of your size?! It sounds like you need two whole chickens!"
The young customer’s lack of reply spoke volumes. It was clear that the added expense was simply not within his budget.
"Of course, I understand if you can’t pay me right now." Yossi hurried to fill the silence. "Just take the chickens now, and don’t worry about paying me back."
Sensing the young man’s hesitation, Yossi continued with his sales pitch. "Think how happy it will make your wife and children! Think of the honor for the Shabbat that you’ll bring to your table. You know, what makes my Shabbat food taste so much better is when I think of all the happy customers of mine, all around the neighborhood, sitting at their tables and eating the food from my shop. It will add so much to my Shabbat meal if you take these chickens!"
The customer finally agreed to the deal, and so a tradition began. Every Friday, he would come in to the butcher shop, and take two chickens. Of course, he would carefully note exactly how much he owנed the butcher.
The young Rabbi Eliyahu grew in his scholarship, and after a number of years, he was appointed as a rabbinical court judge. The added income was much needed to support his growing family, but when Rabbi Eliyahu received his first paycheck, he was overjoyed for a different reason. Now he would finally be able to repay the generous butcher!
Rabbi Eliyahu hurried to the butcher shop, and found Yossi. "I’m happy to tell you that I can finally repay what I owe you!" Rabbi Eliyahu announced.
Yossi’s face beamed, as he responded "I’m thrilled about your new position, but I wouldn’t dream of taking any money from you."
"But… but I bought so many chickens from you on credit!" stammered Rabbi Eliyahu. "How could I not pay you back?!"
"The chickens that I’ve given you are a gift. I never intended that you would pay me back for them!" Yossi explained. "It’s an honor to have provided Shabbat food for a Torah scholar’s family, for all this time. Why should I lose out on that merit?"
"But I never intended to receive those chickens as a gift!" Rabbi Eliyahu replied.
And so it was that the unusual case was brought before Rabbi Tzadka, zt"l. Rabbi Tzadka listened to both sides, as Rabbi Eliyahu insisted that he wanted to pay for the chickens, and Yossi insisted that he wouldn’t take any payment. Who do you think won?
Answer of Rabbi Tzadka, zt"l:
Rabbi Eliyahu should be allowed to pay half the value of the chickens. This way, Yossi will have given half the intended amount of charity, and Rabbi Eliyahu will have payed for the chickens, albeit at a very discounted price.
Both men accepted Rabbi Tzadka’s ruling. Rabbi Eliyahu payed half the value of the chickens to Yossi. Yossi then took the 250 lira payment, and handed it back to Rabbi Eliyahu. Yossi smiled as he explained "This is a gift that I’m giving you, in honor of your appointment as a rabbinical judge!"
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.
