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Beit Midrash
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- 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
Igrot Hare’aya Raffle of Property in Eretz Yisrael for Tzedaka
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: – #220
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
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 Payments after a Gradual End of Employment
(Based on ruling 82024 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Igrot Hare’aya Alternatives to Gymnasium and Grafted Etrogim – #286
Date and Place: 18 Adar II, 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Language of Instruction for Rav Kook’s Yeshiva – #325
Date and Place: 4 Elul 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Maintaining a Friendship of the Spirit – #266 – part III
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook; Date and Place: 11 Shevat 5670, Yafo
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
