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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Igrot Hare’aya
Recipient: The rabbis of the Secretariat of "Mizrachi of the Western Countries." They had many questions for Rav Kook about the state of education in Eretz Yisrael.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
73 - The State of Education in Eretz Yisrael – part III
74 - The State of Education in Eretz Yisrael – part IV
75 - Potential Partners in Building a Yeshiva in Yafo
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Body: The best place to promote innovative institutions, which are based on a spirit of pure lives, filled with the light of Torah, belief, and sanctity, yet supported by skill in science and craftsmanship, is specifically the New Yishuv (the "modern" areas of Jewish settlement), and not Yerushalayim the Holy City. In Yerushalayim, the old style of education must continue. In Yerushalayim, there is not a clear collapse of trustworthy Judaism.
We should also remember that there is a purpose for the approach of abstinence from certain areas of "complete life," at least from the perspective of the external eye. The purpose is as a sign of our exile and the related affliction of the soul. In Yerushalayim, the impact of our national mourning is very poignant, as we can see the ruins of our Holy Temple, the Sanctuary of our King, before our eyes, and we are in its midst as lowly servants. This situation pierces the heart and brings pain to the soul. It by necessity leaves traces of fear and wariness of broader education and a more open lifestyle, until the time when Hashem shows us signs of relieving our situation.
The New Yishuv has a different status. Here, the spirit of live nationalism is increasing and in the air. In fact, the New Yishuv has been established by a movement that is based on this spirit of nationalism. The issue is that without a basis of true Judaism, of a sanctification of the truth and the light of eternal life, as the Name of Hashem rests on His nation and heritage, this spirit of nationalism is not worth anything. It would pass like foam on the face of water and would be comparable to a withering blossom. When the nationalism will be based on the work of religious laborers who recognize their obligations and know how to serve Hashem honestly, according to the Torah of life and the light of truth, then their efforts will represent a clear spirit, which will bring dew of reawakening to Israel and the tents of Judea. Only when the power of the peripheral communities will increase will Yerushalayim also be elevated as its center, an event toward which our eyes and heart are focused.
Therefore, we must establish in the heart of the New Yishuv an advanced yeshiva that will operate according to all of the paths of honor and the best and most embellished life that is attainable. In this type of yeshiva, the greater part of the studies must be on the Written Torah and the Oral Torah in an orderly manner, in a way that incorporates all that is worthwhile from the Jewish (philosophical) scholarship of our generation. The spiritual and scientific elements of the Torah in all of their applications need to be studied as independently valuable, just as Talmud and Halacha are studied. The external order in the yeshiva needs to be done with good taste, acceptable to everyone who is upright and well-mannered, and this applies to the building, the attire, and the interaction with others.
Secular knowledge needs to have a formal place in the curriculum to be studied in Hebrew, and the students should learn foreign languages, both Western and Eastern. The students should be taught by good instructors and with good books, not including the time of learning in yeshiva, which should not be more than eight hours a day. In this way, after six to eight years of study in such a yeshiva, the [finished products] will be well-rounded people, who will truly be a tribute to the Jewish People and to Eretz Yisrael.
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 Payments after a Gradual End of Employment
(Based on ruling 82024 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 Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part IV
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part II
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
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)
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.
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)
