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Beit Midrash
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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 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
P'ninat Mishpat Payments after a Gradual End of Employment
(Based on ruling 82024 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Igrot Hare’aya What Requires Protest? – #279
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook Date and Place: 15 Adar I 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Description of New Yeshiva’s Goals to a Supporter – #328
Date and Place: 12 Elul 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Adding Elements to Strengthen the Heter Mechira – #313
Date and Place: 21 Sivan 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
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.
