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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: Liberty is the greatest aspiration in life. It is for this reason that leaving slavery for freedom, [as our forefathers did in the Exodus from Egypt] is the most memorable event in the holy remembrances of the Jewish people. When we observe the holy days in the Jewish calendars, we note that it is "in remembrance of leaving the house of bondage in Egypt." The Jubilee year, which marks the arrival of social life in Israel at its highest goal, is described by this word, dror, being "proclaimed in the land for all of its inhabitants" (Vayikra 25:10).
Real liberty is liberty that fits the internal content, which is planted in the human spirit, which Hashem made straight. This inclination toward real liberty allows one to not give in to any pressure. Nothing can cause it to be broken because of the strength of the spirit when the natural purity is maintained.
The sign of this type of freedom is the free bird. Because of the natural element of that bird’s spirit, it does not accept dominion and does not allow itself to be subdued. Even though its natural place of freedom is the field, where it is usually found, the fact that it is called a tzippor dror means that it is "at home" in a house as well. This is because of the spirit that does not accept a foreign yoke that does not allow it to complete the state of its spirit. It is able to make its place between individual men and the nation in general, and allow them to proudly wave the flag of sanctity and the light of Torah. This is appropriate, as the Torah is referred to rabbinically as "charut-cheirut" (a play on the words, engraved in stone and representing freedom) – see Shemot 32:16. The strength that comes from sanctity leads to true liberty and the sanctity of the Jubilee year, which talks of liberty (Vayikra 25:10), as is represented by the free bird.
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
Igrot Hare’aya Connecting Disciplines in Torah Study
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook #103 – part II
P'ninat Mishpat Limits of Interest Rate for Loan with Heter Iska – part I
based on ruling 80033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
P'ninat Mishpat Profits from Formerly Joint Swimming Pool – part
(based on ruling 81110 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Multiple Agreements and Parties – part IV
based on final ruling of 80082 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
