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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Igrot Hare’aya
Recipients: In the previous letter, we saw Rav Kook’s view of the state of education in Eretz Yisrael at the time. In it, he spoke about the New Yishuv being the proper setting for creating a more integrative type of yeshiva, which, along with producing greatness in Torah, would serve as a base for producing fine religious people to tackle the challenges of a vibrant, emerging nationalism. A couple of months later, Rav Kook sent short letters to several Zionistic Rabbinic leaders in Europe on the matter, apparently "scouting the field" to see who could turn into a major ally in this project. We will focus on letter (#99), which Rav Kook wrote to Rav Yitzchak Aizik Halevi, the author of a monumental history of rabbinic scholarship, Dorot Harishonim. The recipient of letter #100 is Rabbi Yitzchak Yaakov Reiness, rabbi of Lida and the founder of the Mizrachi Zionist movement. The recipient of letter #101 is Rabbi Zvi Hersh Masliansky, a popular, rabbinical inspirational speaker on behalf of the Zionist movement. The yeshiva did open, in 1909, and closed in approximately 1915, due to World War I.
Body: … I wanted to write a somewhat long letter, to explain my request. I had hoped that someone who has such a broad mind and is as righteous as you are might be one of the most prominent people who will stand by my right side to take action on behalf of Hashem and His lot. When I saw it would be difficult to find an opportunity to write at length, I decided to make due with something brief. When I will merit to receive a response from you, then we can revert to our practice of exchanging letters to clarify the matter.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
74 - The State of Education in Eretz Yisrael – part IV
75 - Potential Partners in Building a Yeshiva in Yafo
76 - More on Rav Kook’s Yeshiva Planning
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I am calling upon you, my brilliant friend, along with all of the scholars of the Jewish People, who know the maladies of our nation and want to quickly heal it, to help with the following matter. Specifically, I ask that you lend a hand in establishing an advanced yeshiva here in the holy city of Yafo, at the center of the New Yishuv, which is increasingly taking shape and developing. This development is being done by powers that are totally foreign to the true soul of Israel, i.e., the light of Hashem and His Torah. The painful outcomes of such a phenomenon are potentially inestimable if we do not quickly remedy the situation, by helping rebuild the nation in the Holy Land based on the foundation of Torah and responsibility toward Hashem. This must be done within an effort to progress along with practical life in its truly good paths.
Such a yeshiva must be built here, in order to give spiritual life to the New Yishuv as a whole. Such an institution can then give fruit in the Old Yishuv and to the sanctity of Yerushalayim, the Holy City, and all the old, established holy cities. When the two parts of the Yishuv will be connected, it will spread light over the entire Jewish Nation, including throughout the Diaspora. In that way, Hashem’s spirit will elevate His nation and connect many souls to the love of Eretz Yisrael in sanctity and strength.
Such a yeshiva must be founded specifically with riches and honor and with attractive flourishes along with the sanctity of truth reigning supreme. This is appropriate for the "air of Eretz Yisrael," which makes people wise and resurrects the dead.
My honorable friend, you have begun to save the Jewish People with your wonderful book (on rabbinic history). From the Heavens, they have given you the merit to thereby elevate His Name and establish in its proper place the honor of our rabbis, from whose words we live.
I hope that you will desire to extend your great hand toward my weak hand to strive together toward this work of Hashem. May Hashem, the Rock of Israel, enable us to complete the job properly.
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
Igrot Hare’aya Trying to Arrange Purchase of Land in Eretz Yisrael – part II
#229 Date and Place: 13 Tishrei 5670 (1909), Yafo
P'ninat Mishpat Payment for Not Clearing Warehouse On Time – part II
based on ruling 75076 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 Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part III
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 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 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
Lessons
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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.
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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)
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.
