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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
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Recipient: A young Moshe Zeidel. A close disciple of Rav Kook, from their time in Boisk, he asked Rav Kook many philosophical questions. He would become Dr. Zeidel, a philologist and philosopher.
Body: I will now deal with your question on the number of years since creation in relation to geological calculations. Early kabbalists broadly assumed, and this should be accepted as a standard approach, that there were many historical periods before the one we count (from the creation of Adam). The midrash (Bereishit Rabba 3) says that Hashem built worlds and destroyed them. The Zohar (Vayikra, p. 10) says that there were a few types of people, other than Adam, who the Torah described.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
61 - Follow-Up Questions
62 - Questions about Torah Accounts of Creation – part I
63 - Questions about Torah Accounts of Creation – part II
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In truth, we do not need any of these things to have happened. Even if the process of creation was by the development (i.e., evolution) of species, this would not contradict [our beliefs]. We count according to the simple reading of the p’sukim, which is much more impactful for us than all the unimportant ancient conceptions. The Torah related the story of creation in a closed manner and spoke in hints and parables. We know that the actual story behind creation is one of the Torah’s deepest secrets (see Chagiga 11b). If everything written in Bereishit should be understood according to its simple meaning, what secrets are there?! As the midrash says: "It is impossible to tell the power of creation to flesh and blood; therefore, scripture wrote in a closed form."
The main thing is the "knowledge of Hashem" that comes out of the episode and learning true morality. Hashem gave the exact measure of spirit that rested on the prophets. He minimized matters so that man will be able to access the greatest elements of creation, when they try hard. These are the most poignant and useful elements, including the "precious frozen light" (see Zecharia 14:6), i.e., the secrets of the Torah.
In short, nothing in the scientific findings contradicts the Torah. Nevertheless, we do not have to accept theories as if they are facts, even if they enjoy a relative consensus. They are like a withering flower. When new instruments of investigation will emerge, today’s newest discoveries will be scoffed at. Today’s greatest theories will be deemed worthless, but the word of Hashem will prevail forever. "Whereas the mountains and peaks will collapse, My grace for you will not wane" (Yeshayahu 54:10).
The foundation of all knowledge is that which we teach the world – everything is the work of Hashem, including the myriad media through which things come about. He made a world with everything in it, as Hashem’s power is limitless. Sometimes the Torah spells out the means of creation; sometimes it just skips to the bottom line – "Hashem created" or "Hashem made." This is similar to the pasuk saying, "Shlomo did build"; it does not say that "Shlomo commanded the high officers, who ordered the craftsmen, who commanded the simple workers …" That is because this process is both known and not very important.
Similarly that which is uncovered over thousands of years about the manner of the world’s development, which increases our knowledge, is still revealed to us cryptically. The main point is that there is a time and place for each matter, without Hashem leaving anything to chance. For example, had people known thousands of years ago that the world was moving and spinning, some people would have been afraid to stand, out of fear of falling and would be afraid to build great buildings, thus holding back progress. Only after intellectual maturity set in, was it possible to teach the world about the movement of heavenly bodies, knowledge that now brings the world great benefit.
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
P'ninat Mishpat Payments after a Gradual End of Employment
(Based on ruling 82024 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 Language of Instruction for Rav Kook’s Yeshiva – #325
Date and Place: 4 Elul 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Public Letter on Observance of Shemitta – #287 – part II
Date and Place: 4 Nisan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Keeping Shemitta Partially – #272
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook; Date and Place: 2 Adar I 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Worse on the Outside, Better on the Inside – #332
Date and Place: 26 Elul 5670 (1910), Yafo
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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)
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)
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.
P'ninat Mishpat 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: 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.
