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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Igrot Hare’aya
Recipient: Rav Yitzchak Aizik Halevi, the author of a monumental history of rabbinic scholarship, Dorot Harishonim. See Rav Kook’s letter to him (#99).
Body: [In the first installment, we saw Rav Kook’s warm words of thanks and excitement over receiving the Dorot Harishonim and his beginning of the topic of the connection between aggada (the moral and philosophical elements of Torah) and Halacha, including that they stem from prophecy and wisdom, respectively.]
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
77 - Connecting Disciplines in Torah Study
78 - Connecting Disciplines in Torah Study
79 - Connecting Disciplines in Torah Study
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This is also the implication of the gemara (Zevachim 62a) that three prophets who came to Eretz Yisrael at the beginning of the Second Commonwealth provided information about the details of the operation of the Second Temple. There were certainly also scholars who moved to Eretz Yisrael at that time, but apparently certain matters required specifically the power of prophecy. Even if we accept that the final decision in a halachic matter is not determined by means of prophecy, it still has an impact on the process of the studies.
Certainly, in Eretz Yisrael, which is the place of prophecy, the flow of prophecy makes an impression on the study of Halacha. The matter is understood based on the internal look at the matter, without the need for great investigation. The Rabbis tell us that "the air of Eretz Yisrael makes people wiser" (Bava Batra 158b) and that study in Bavel could confuse what otherwise could be accomplished in Eretz Yisrael (see Bava Metzia 85a). The wisdom of prophecy, which is the foundation of the wisdom of aggada, the internal element of the root of the Torah, was much more active in Eretz Yisrael than in the Diaspora, which is not a suitable place for prophecy (see Moed Katan 25a).
Those people who are influenced by the roots of the wisdom of prophecy consider brevity a desired value. For them, the analysis of the halachot and the manner in which one matter is arrived at through another is done with a very broad survey of the topic. It is enough for them to have a small hint, and they already arrive at a ruling. That is the way the Jerusalem Talmud was studied, as those who merited to benefit from its divine light were able to suffice with short derivations before arriving at the practical halacha. Those who took part in the Babylonian Talmud, who were not likewise privy to the roots of prophecy, required much more long-winded discussion before arriving at a conclusion.
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
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 Who Breached the Contract? – part IV
Based on ruling 81087 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Igrot Hare’aya Trying to Arrange Purchase of Land in Eretz Yisrael
#222 Date and Place: 2 Elul 5669 (1909), Rechovot
Igrot Hare’aya Involving Baron Rothschild in Religious Efforts – #278
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook Date and Place: 14 Adar 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part IV
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Maintaining a Friendship of the Spirit – #266 – part II
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook, Date and Place: 11 Shevat 5670, Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Public Response to Zealous Defense of Rav Kook – #308
Date and Place: 15 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
