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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Igrot Hare’aya
Recipient: Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Charlop, the illustrious talmid chacham, and a close confidante of Rav Kook, later to be rabbi of Sha’arei Chesed and Rosh Yeshiva of Merkaz Harav. Rav Charlop was one of the closest disciples of the tzaddik, Rav Tzvi Michal Shapira, a saintly scholar and ascetic. Rav Charlop was involved in the posthumous publishing of letters and teachings of Rav Shapira.
Body: [Last time we saw Rav Kook praise Rav Charlop for the decision to help publish the works of Rav Shapira, as well as extolling the great tzaddik and ascetic and the spiritual brilliance of his teachings.]
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
50 - Teach his Teachings, Do Not Copy Asceticism
51 - Spread the Tzaddik’s Teachings, Not His Asceticism
52 - Spread the Tzaddik’s Teachings, Not His Asceticism
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However, one who is not able to increase his sanctity to such a lofty level, who did not sufficiently toil in wisdom of fear or acquire love of Hashem and all of the good attributes that draw one close to Hashem, must not seek out a life of asceticism. If they will do such things as frequent fasts and self-affliction, then their heart will be empty, and they will regret the suffering they experience. In that way, they will not accomplish anything for themselves or their generation.
The following is what the Kuzari (III:1) says about such a person: "If one is missing necessary acquired wisdom and natural wisdom and anyway brought himself to a state of self-depravation, then he brought upon himself torment and spiritual and physical sickness. The weakness of disease will be seen on him, and people will think it is the weakness of surrender and lowliness. He will then despise his life, because he is disgusted by incarceration and pain, and he will be on his own but not due to the love of solitude. How can it not be so if he does not cling to the divine light, to which prophets cling, and he did not reach wisdom to a degree that delving into them brings pleasant feelings?"
A rare tzaddik like your sainted rebbe, especially because he lived in the Holy Land and in the Holy City which is the seat of prophecy, was able to walk on the "altars of clouds," like the saintly people of early periods, who were lighter than eagles and fiercer than lions to do the will of their Master and the desire of their Maker. He reached the highest level of sanctity and purity and felt the pleasure and sweetness of service of Hashem. With all of his many fasts and self-afflictions, which he chose in his sacred heart to include in his truly extraordinary service of Hashem, he still kept his strength intact. He was able to reach great heights in studying Halacha in depth (which requires great concentration and innovation), with wonderful sharpness and mental depth. This is because the spirit of Hashem was with him, and he enjoyed Divine Assistance to increase strength with brave sanctity. This is because his whole course of action was planned according to the strength and pleasantness that he had internally, made possible by daily study of divinity, ethics, and the study of Kabbala and other works of the wisdom of truth. These all broadened his thinking and sanctified his soul, so that he was adorned most beautifully.
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 A Commercial Rental for a Closed Business – part II
based on ruling 80047 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Igrot Hare’aya Departure of an Uncle to Eretz Yisrael
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: Vol. I, #1 , p. 1-2 – part II
P'ninat Mishpat Payments after a Gradual End of Employment
(Based on ruling 82024 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Igrot Hare’aya Public Response to Zealous Defense of Rav Kook – #308
Date and Place: 15 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part III
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Possibilities of Creating Religious Moshavot – #284 – part I
Date and Place: 1 Adar II, 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part I
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Rabbis in Midrash
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Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
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(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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(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.
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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.
