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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Igrot Hare’aya
Our introduction to the volume is based in part on the introduction of the work’s editor, HaRav Tzvi Yehuda HaKohen Kook, zecher tzaddik livracha. Rav Tzvi Yehuda, as he was belovedly called by his many direct and indirect talmidim, was Rav Kook’s only son and was his successor, both as the head of the Merkaz HaRav yeshiva and as a spiritual beacon in the path of his illustrious father.
The letters in the first volume cover the period from 1888-1910. In the beginning of this period, Rav Kook was a 23-year-old rabbi in Zaumel, Lithuania. Later on, he took up a position in Boisk, and in 1904 he moved to Eretz Yisrael, then under Ottoman Rule, to become the rabbi of Yafo (Jaffa), where he remained during the remainder of this period.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
1 - Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook
2 - Departure of an Uncle to Eretz Yisrael
3 - Departure of an Uncle to Eretz Yisrael
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1. "The letter, like the countenance of the face and the pace of the movement of the body and limbs and the manner of speech and the form of one’s writing and its style, provides expression, both by subject and by style, of the very essence of its possessor and serves as a proof and a clarifying tool of his direction and his nature. The main characteristic of a letter is that it possesses the internal nature of the ‘private domain,’ by expressing the ideas of natural spirit in an unadulterated manner from a person to his friend, from an individual to an individual or to several individuals. The relationships of the individuals and the matters [between them] are also aligned and are appropriate to the depths of the ‘private domain’ of the spirit."
2. Rav Tzvi Yehuda explained that the addressing of the letters’ remarks to an individual or a group of individuals, as opposed to addressing all of Klal Yisrael, gives the igeret a "framework of a relating of the spirit" focused on the one who received the letter.
3. "In other teachings of Torah and wisdom, in all their subjects and the shades of their sanctity, their main purpose is the learning, according to their levels, of the matters at hand, and it is not important who said them. The personal appearance of the author makes almost no difference …" He goes on to say that it is important to relate teachings in the name of their authors, in part in order to be able to learn from the ways of the individual rabbi. This is along the lines of the concept, gadol shimusha yoter milimoda (roughly, it is better to spend time with a great rabbi than to learn his teachings). This is something that letters helps facilitate.
Let us briefly discuss some "ground rules" for our presentations. Translating Rav Kook is always challenging due to the number and complexity of rabbinic play on words with references to Tanach and the teachings of Chazal, poetry, and metaphors. At times, we will remove the literary flourishes for simplicity’s sake; sometimes we will translate them and rely on the reader to decipher the intention; and sometimes we will bring the translated original and explain in parenthesis. Parenthesis will also be used to bring the footnotes that Rav Tzvi Yehuda inserted into the edition. Brackets will be reserved for adding implied words to help make the reading of the material easier. When Rav Kook wrote in third person to the recipient of the letter, we will present it in second person to avoid confusion.
It is likely that both the translator and the readers will improve in doing our respective parts as we become more experienced in dealing with this exciting "genre."
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
P'ninat Mishpat Repercussions of a Sale That Turned Out Not Happening – part II
(based on ruling 83045 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Igrot Hare’aya Connecting Disciplines in Torah Study
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook #103 – part II
Igrot Hare’aya Trying to Arrange Purchase of Land in Eretz Yisrael
#222 Date and Place: 2 Elul 5669 (1909), Rechovot
Igrot Hare’aya Description of New Yeshiva’s Goals to a Supporter – #328
Date and Place: 12 Elul 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part IV
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
