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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
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This week we commemorate the 26th yahrtzeit of our mentor, Rav Shaul Yisraeli z.t.l., Eretz Hemdah’s founding president. He was a trailblazer in the field of how a Jewish state functions halachically, including writing and editing many articles and publications. One of the main questions that occupied talmidei chachamim was: What is the place of a Jewish and democratic State of Israel, which was established by a general public that primarily did not consist of those who observe all mitzvot? How does one view a government, with executive and legislative branches, most of whose members are not dedicated to keeping the Shulchan Aruch, and a legislative branch that is sometimes is hostile to it?
Here too there are three approaches: 1. People of belief in the divine promise to return Am Yisrael to Eretz Yisrael and reestablish a Jewish state, as a symbol of a refined state in which Yeshayahu’s visions can be realized. It would be a state to which gentile pilgrims would come to study in its capital, Jerusalem, and a state that bases itself on charity and justice. 2. Those who do not believe in the Written and/or Oral Law, or do not believe the state can be a vessel for the fulfillment of the Prophets’ prophecies. 3. Those who lost their patience and are willing to hasten the redemption even in manners that are against the Torah.
Rav Yisraeli was one of the first group’s leading teachers and guides, with an ability to navigate complex matters. We will take a quick look at one of the dilemmas he dealt with – an apparent contradiction between a national or spiritual obligation and the rights of the individual.
Rav S.Y. Zevin wrote an article about the "trial of Shylock." He opines that a person has no ownership over his body. Both body and soul belong to Hashem. Rav Yisraeli disagreed and said that man has ownership over his own body, just that Halacha limits the scope of the ownership and forbids one to commit suicide, put his life in danger, or damage his body.
A related practical issue is organ sale by a poor person to improve his financial situation. Rav Yisraeli posited that fundamentally it is permitted, but that the state is required to legislate a prohibition on such "organ commerce" to prevent the rich from taking advantage of the poor. Rav Yisraeli viewed organ donation as a great voluntary mitzva if done altruistically, with the donor a hero from a Torah perspective. In the merit of Rav Yisraeli’s ruling and the incredible life work of Rav Yeshaya Heber z.t.l., the State of Israel has become a beacon of light for the world, of healing people with true mercy. This is an uplifting application of the idea of "Torah and State," following the footsteps of Yehoshua and Kalev and other believers in a noble Jewish state. May we be successful in continuing to spread the teachings of Rav Yisraeli robustly and pleasantly.
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.
