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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Peninei Halakha
- Shabbat and Holidays
- The Tenth of Tevet
- The Minor Fasts' Halachot
During Shaĥarit and Minĥa of public fast days, we read the section of the Torah that describes how God forgave Israel after the sin of the Golden Calf (Sofrim 17:7, sa 566:1). This symbolizes that just as God forgave us for the sin of the Golden Calf and gave us a new set of Tablets, so will He forgive all of our sins and rebuild the Holy Temple, speedily in our days.
Most poskim maintain that we read the haftara beginning “Seek the Lord while He can be found” (Yeshayahu 55-56) at Minĥa, and all Ashkenazim follow this practice (Rema 566:1). However, most Sephardim do not customarily read a haftara. Nonetheless, a Sephardic man who is called up third to the Torah in a place where the custom is to read the haftara should read it and recite the accompanying berakhot (Yaskil Avdi 6:9).
These readings are read only if at least six people present are fasting. One who is not fasting should not be called up to the Torah. Bedi’avad, if one who is not fasting was called up to the Torah, and he is embarrassed to say that he is not fasting, he may go up to the Torah.[15]
The Ashkenazic custom is to recite the Avinu Malkeinu prayer after the Amida of both Shaĥarit and Minĥa, while Sephardim do not recite it.
[15] mb 566:21 cites a dispute as to whether, be-di’avad, one who is not fasting may go up to the Torah if called, and concludes that if he is a Torah scholar and is worried about disgracing God’s name, he may go up. Torat Ha-mo’adim 4:5-6 writes that such a person should not go up to the Torah. Ĥatam Sofer, oĥ 157, however, maintains that one who is not fasting may go up to the Torah on mandatory fast days, and ahs 566:11 concurs. Therefore, it seems that anyone who is embarrassed may rely on these authorities and go up to the Torah.
Rabbis in Midrash
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
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
