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Beit Midrash
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- Igrot Hare’aya
Recipient: Rav Tzvi Shimon Horowitz, a distinguished kabalist and founder of the Yeshivat Mekubalim in Jerusalem, Sha’arei Hashamayim
Body: I received your valued letter along with a copy of your important sefer, Kol Mevaser. With great joy I read that Hashem has redeemed His nation and the sound of the knocking of our Beloved can be heard in our fortress, the Holy City of Jerusalem, awakening the love and encouraging us to cling to the tree of life. I was also overjoyed to hear about the joining of pure Jews to dedicate themselves to the study of the wisdom of truth (Kabalistic study), which will emit a special light and cause salvation to flourish. My thanks to Hashem that unique, holy individuals in Jerusalem are inspired to do so. You have a special merit in facilitating such activity, exciting pure hearts and strengthening those who waver with the words of your holy book, which encourages people to set regular sessions for the study of the Torah of truth.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
52 - Spread the Tzaddik’s Teachings, Not His Asceticism
53 - In Favor of Studying Kabala Seriously
54 - Incorporating Secular Studies in Rabbinic Curriculum
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However, for the choice few who are capable of approaching Hashem and arousing the hearts to inspire closeness to Him, it is a holy obligation to pronounce loudly that which the angel-like early teachers of Kabala said. Namely, a wise and pure-hearted person who is prepared and motivated to study the pure, hidden truths of Kabala should make it the main focus of his studies. Then he earns the crown of achievement in the world of internal Torah. He should also set times for the study of Tanach, Mishna and Talmud, halachic matters, and homiletical sections of the Talmud. Then he will succeed in attaining the hidden lights of truth. This is especially true of scholars above the age of fifty/sixty who are satiated with knowledge of basic Torah texts and skills. For them, Hashem’s voice calls out powerfully to act on His behalf to increase the number of "soldiers of the war of the books" to spread the hidden light.
It is almost impossible to capture the hidden light with a dull mind, without the finest characteristics and a deep relationship with Hashem. Therefore, one must prepare by studying on a simple level the writings of homiletics, ethics, and character improvement written by the great rabbis of the generations. The better one learns those matters the greater the capacity in the hidden Torah. However, the young who do not feel the interest or spirituality needed for the internal light, should feel obligated to take part in at least an hour or two daily of classes on Kabala. Over time, their minds will broaden, they will succeed in classical Torah study, and, as they grow older, their love for esoteric matters will increase like a flame’s light. They will cling to the "tree of life," enjoying its shade and fruit. They will provide new light with special books and elevate and adorn Israel, especially inhabitants of the Holy Land, the place from which light emanates to the world for nations to see.
Rav Kook ends with blessings to Rav Horowitz and his disciples.
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
Igrot Hare’aya Connecting Disciplines in Torah Study
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook 103 – part III
Igrot Hare’aya Raffle of Property in Eretz Yisrael for Tzedaka
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: – #220
Igrot Hare’aya Excitement over a Friend’s New Newspaper – #319
Date and Place: 4 Menachem Av 5670 (1910), Rechovot
Igrot Hare’aya Adding Elements to Strengthen the Heter Mechira – #313
Date and Place: 21 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Concern for Communal Kashrut Standards – #288, 290
Date and Place: 4 Nisan 5670 (1910), Yafo
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.
