YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Igrot Hare’aya
Recipient: R. Dr. Moshe Zeidel (a close disciple of Rav Kook, from their time in Boisk. Dr. Zeidel was a philologist and philosopher, who asked Rav Kook many philosophical questions.)
Summary of Part I: There must be a limit to the propriety of free thought because it affects one’s actions and thus also his surroundings. The "location" of the "boundary" depends on the nature of different nations.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
16 - The Limits of Free Thought
17 - The Limits of Free Thought
18 - The Limits of Free Thought
Load More
Whenever there is greatness of the spirit, there are parallel lackings. Israel certainly has lackings, and it is these lackings that made it so crucial that the nation have the task of carrying on the Name of Hashem as a basic part of its national content.
Therefore, whoever causes a weakening of the resolve to follow this philosophy that gives life to the nation, whether by its thoughts and, all the more so, by means of actions, is a national criminal, whom it is immoral to forgive. There is no other example in the whole world [of such a mission]. There is no other nation in the world whose very nature is tied to knowing Hashem who is in their midst and having Him known in the world or for whom any other belief is such a foundational manner.
If you will find a single nation who has a lowly belief and their belief is national, it is probably so small that if it were to spread, it would cause damage to the whole world and the nation itself would not be able to sustain itself. If so, this nation would be slated for destruction, and one could not complain to individuals if this happened.
This is the basis of our true zealotry for the ways of Hashem, which is the reason that Israel was fit to be given a covenant that gave it a special status as a nation of priests. This is different from imprudent zealousness that comes from the lack of knowledge and the weakening of spiritual strength.
In order to have the [Jewish] nation act with fullest force, all of its strengths need to be functioning at their fullest levels. But in any case, we cannot be prevented from functioning on some level, because the national spiritual character is always "alive," as we say "David, King of Israel, lives and exists."
It was a plan of Hashem, who has wondrous plans, that to the extent that our nation’s power is diminished, so will our abilities [to accomplish], which in turn is testimony to Hashem’s desire [for how we are destined to function]. There are many ways in which there is a diminishment of the nation’s capabilities that Hashem wants. Sometimes it is practical, such as the fear of the kingdom. Sometimes there is a spiritual diminishment, based on which we are instructed to not say that which will not be accepted (Yevamot 65b), (thus preventing spiritual leaders from trying to make others comply with the Torah way). We are satisfied when these lackings in ability exist because we know that it is Divine Providence’s desire at such times. We find this idea in the Yerushalmi (Sanhedrin 7:2) – that Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai was happy that Jewish judges were unable to function fully at that time because we were not wise enough then.
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
P'ninat Mishpat Limits of Interest Rate for Loan with Heter Iska – part II
based on ruling 80033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Igrot Hare’aya Trying to Arrange Purchase of Land in Eretz Yisrael – part II
#229 Date and Place: 13 Tishrei 5670 (1909), Yafo
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
Igrot Hare’aya A Public Letter on Observance of Shemitta – #287 – part I
Date and Place: 4 Nisan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Ties to Religiously Controversial Events/Organizations 1. #293
Date and Place: Iyar 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Public Response to Zealous Defense of Rav Kook – #308
Date and Place: 15 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
