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Beit Midrash
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- Igrot Hare’aya
Recipient: Rav Yitzchak Aizik Halevi, the author of a monumental history of rabbinic scholarship, Dorot Harishonim.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
78 - Connecting Disciplines in Torah Study
79 - Connecting Disciplines in Torah Study
80 - Connecting Disciplines in Torah Study
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Perhaps the distinction between Talmud Bavli and Talmud Yerushalmi is capsulized by the following disagreement. In the Torah section on zaken mamrei (a Torah scholar who refuses to accept the majority decision of the Sanhedrin), the topic of the deliberation of the Sanhedrin was called davar (a matter). The Bavli explains that this is a matter of halacha, and the Yerushalmi explains that it means a matter of aggada.
In the introduction to [the medieval philosophical work] Chovot Halevavot, the author writes that matters of philosophy (which are the root of aggada) are not included in the section of zaken mamrei, which begins with the words "shall it beyond you." He writes that this is evidence that such matters are not within the expertise of the scholars involved in the transmission of the traditions of the Torah but are matters that can be clarified by means of intellect. There were some great scholars who said, based on this approach, that matters of aggada are not as firmly founded as those of halacha are. However, there were also scholars, apparently including Rav Hai Gaon, in a responsum, who considered aggadic passages in the Rabbinic sources as a co-equal part of Rabbinic tradition.
The distinction is simple. An approach to study that is based on the roots of prophecy and its related tools will experience a unification of the fields of halacha and aggada. According to this approach, embraced by the Talmud Yerushalmi, as opposed to the Chovot Halevavot, there are traditions on matters of philosophy just as there are on matters of practical observance. In contrast, the approach to Torah study that is practiced in the Diaspora, which is not fit for prophecy, is different. It is unable to connect matters of halacha and its analysis, and the notable philosophical principles are only those which one can arrive at by means of logic. Therefore, the philosophical ideas are distinct from matters of practical halacha and are not covered by the prohibition not to stray from the decisions of the majority of the Sanhedrin. This distinction is the most fundamental difference between the Talmud Bavli and Talmud Yerushalmi.
This distinction is also at the heart of the difference between a kohen and a judge, both of which are mentioned as leaders who are involved in the decision of the Sanhedrin (Devarim 17:9). The kohen represents one whose approach to scholarship in halacha is assisted by Divine Spirit, as the kohen is described: "the lips of a kohen shall guard knowledge … for he is an angel of Hashem, the Lord of Hosts" (Malachi 2:7). This is especially true of the kohen gadol, who needs to speak with Divine Spirit, as part of his usage of the urim v’tumim. In contrast, the judge arrives at his judgment based on logic and an approach to textual study that is based on analysis of the sources and their ramifications.
It is not independently obvious without textual confirmation that each of these leaders is subject to the prohibition not to reject the decisions of the majority. If it had only mentioned a kohen, I would have said that only one who speaks with Divine Spirit is bound to the prohibition not to reject decisions, and if it had said only the judge, I would have said that there is no place for Divine Spirit in trying to arrive at the halacha.
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 Profits from Formerly Joint Swimming Pool – part
(based on ruling 81110 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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 Departure of an Uncle to Eretz Yisrael
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: Vol. I, #1 , p. 1-2 – part II
Igrot Hare’aya Language of Instruction for Rav Kook’s Yeshiva – #325
Date and Place: 4 Elul 5670 (1910), Yafo
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
