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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Igrot Hare’aya
Recipient: Rabbi Shem Tov Geffen – kabbalist, philosopher, mathematician, and friend of Rav Kook, who had recently made aliya and was living in or near Yafo.
Body: I have received your letter, and most of what you wrote is in line with my thinking.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
53 - In Favor of Studying Kabala Seriously
54 - Incorporating Secular Studies in Rabbinic Curriculum
55 - Looking to Retire?
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Our main goal should be to have true, full-fledged Torah scholars, as in previous times. In order to have the broadest level of da’at Torah (Torah-based or Torah-inspired wisdom) it is necessary to possess all important types of knowledge, including medumah (ed. note – I do not know how to translate that word in this context). Therefore, it is necessary to show the path forward for future Torah leaders as to how to use every discipline of knowledge in order to embellish the reach of the Torah.
For this purpose, it would be worthwhile to establish a program of studies with a short explanation of the content of every discipline (among those that are not well known among the masses) and to demonstrate how they can be used regarding certain Torah disciplines. In that way, the general knowledge can broaden and clarify the Torah approach.
In truth, the completeness of a person’s humanity is good and desired in and of itself (which makes much of the secular knowledge valuable in its own right). However, we should not be embarrassed by the guidance of our great Torah leaders from time immemorial, who possessed all the areas of wisdom but as "maid servants and kitchen staff" in relation to the Torah. Only when we have done this can we say that our scholars are truly the Wise Men of Israel.
However, since the separation between elements of wisdom has come into the world, the matters [of incorporating intrinsically useful wisdom] have taken on a foreign form. When other elements of impure ethics make their way into these disciplines, then the dangers are inestimable.
Therefore, we very much need to support the ancient rule that all elements of wisdom are included in the Torah, when referring to Torah in its true and broad meaning. Therefore, it is necessary to have all of the wisdoms in order to understand and broaden the Torah.
For this purpose, I plan to set the cornerstone for the Otzar Chayim (lit., the storehouse of life – this was the name of the yeshiva that Rav Kook would open in Yafo in 1909) for the nation of Hashem, who are His legacy. If you are inclined to be of assistance in this ambitious project, with the great wisdom you possess, the thesis I have set out for you can serve as a guide. If you would be so kind as to expand the program you sent me or to form another one, based on the characteristics we have discussed, it would be of great help for our activities with G-d’s help. [Ed. note – apparently, he did help Rav Kook in the establishment of Otzar Chayim.]
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
P'ninat Mishpat A Commercial Rental for a Closed Business – part II
based on ruling 80047 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
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 Departure of an Uncle to Eretz Yisrael
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: Vol. I, #1 , p. 1-2 – part II
Igrot Hare’aya Excerpts of Letter on Shemitta – #289 – part I
Date and Place: 6 Nisan 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 II
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya The Need for a Broader Education – #274
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook Date and Place: 8 Adar I 5670, Yafo
Rabbis in Midrash
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(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.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
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.
