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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Igrot Hare’aya
Recipient: Rav Chaim Berlin, the great giant, the glory of Israel, its crown and pride among Israel and humanity. [Rav Chaim Berlin was the oldest son of the Netziv, the rosh yeshiva of the Volozhin Yeshiva, and rebbe of Rav Kook. At the time, Rav Berlin was Chief Rabbi of Moscow.]
Greeting: The dear greetings of your exalted greatness, my master shlita, appeared yesterday. My eyes saw and rejoiced, for the righteousness of the exalted master shlita aroused him to strengthen the hands of those who work in the field of sanctity with words of grace and honor. May our praise be upon you. The strength of the lion among the group should be great.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
3 - Departure of an Uncle to Eretz Yisrael
4 - A Smaller Shas
5 - Advice from an Older Brother
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There is another new idea, which with Hashem’s help we are not far from carrying out. I want to present it to you to know what your exalted opinion is on the matter. I recently had the idea to make a proposal to the leaders of the generation to embark on a lasting project which could be of great value for the study of the holy Torah. I refer to publishing an edition of the Talmud Bavli in a small format [i.e., without the standard commentaries], along the lines of the small Tanach that was published in Berlin and Leipzig, not with big letters like the recently published Mishnayot. That way the whole Shas will comprise a small volume, I believe not more than three times that of the Tanach.
This will bring great benefit in creating people with broad knowledge of the Talmud in our nation. The scarcity of volumes of the Talmud was already raised several generations ago by those like the Maharal of Prague. The main reason for the shortage is the big format. While I could go on at length, this is not necessary before someone as great as you.
If we print some 10,000 copies, we could sell each Shas for 1 silver ruble and still make a nice profit, even though that is not our interest. In any case, any profits would go toward a special fund that would slightly help to raise the standing of the Torah, with Hashem’s help.
The one thing we would need is to print on the bottom a short commentary based on the most critical excerpts of Rashi, which is what is needed for those who are just reviewing what they have already learned to remind them of matters. I am attaching a sample page.
This would be too much work for one person, but I would call for a meeting of the generation’s leaders, and everyone would commit to doing one massechet or more. The matter should not be derailed, so we can finish quickly. Since I am young, I would just follow along the giants of the generation, and my illustrious father-in-law, the Chief Rabbi of Ponovitch, would orchestrate the holy work. Hopefully, we will quickly have a volume for those who have learned from the large Shas editions and will review with this one. I would greatly appreciate if you could take part in one or both of the projects, as we need a commentary using footnotes like the Zera Yisrael edition of Mishnayot.
Since such a printing will cost 7-8,000 rubles, which I cannot raise, I will need to enlist helpers for this project. If 20-30 friends can all lend some money, we can have the matter done promptly. There is no chance of loss according to my understanding of the field, and one of the great leaders will be in charge of receiving donations and passing them on to the publisher.
I would appreciate your lofty response on all of these matters.
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
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 P'ninat Mishpat: Multiple Agreements and Parties – part IV
based on final ruling of 80082 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
P'ninat Mishpat Repercussions of a Sale that Turned Out Not Happening – part III
(based on ruling 83045 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Igrot Hare’aya Maintaining a Friendship of the Spirit – #266 – part II
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook, Date and Place: 11 Shevat 5670, Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part III
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(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)
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
P'ninat Mishpat 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: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
