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Beit Midrash
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- Igrot Hare’aya
Recipient: Rabbi Pinchas Hakohen Lintup, rabbi of the Chassidic community of Birzai, Lithuania. Rabbi Lintup was a respected friend and reportedly a chavruta of Rav Kook for the study of Kabbala. Rabbi Lintup was a Zionist, fluent in academic spheres, and yet also a fighter of the influence of the outside world on traditional Judaism.
Body: The dear pamphlet "Binyan Hauma" (the Building of the Nation – about steps to take to strengthen observance of mitzvot) came to my hands, and I have read it with internal happiness. I thank Hashem for bringing me to this time, when the greatest of rabbis begin to deal with existential national questions based on Torah sources with a scientific approach in a way that they need not be embarrassed to present the ideas before (philosophical) enemies and friends in the gates (based on Tehillim 127:5).
However, I am unable to hide from my honorable friend, that you need to seriously fix the style of writing in future editions, and especially be as careful as possible to avoid noticeable grammatical mistakes. This brings people of small intellectual stature, which is most people, to scorn not only the language but even the lofty content of the work. I am confident that you will take my advice, and it is something very easy to do. Before each pamphlet is published, give it for editing to someone who is proficient at Hebrew grammar, and he will fix the matters that are most noticeable.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
91 - Which settlement is the most prepared to begin a religious school?
92 - Improving a Colleague’s Work
93 - Advice for a Father whose Son is No Longer Religious
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In any case, these blemishes are like spots on the face of the clear sun in the sky, which are not comparable to the great light which you reveal to us through your wonderful books, when they become available to the world.
I will tell my honorable, beloved friend that I have no criticism for the valuable general ideas in the pamphlet. It is full of new and old pure gold, and it is influenced by the sanctity of the internal (mystical) elements of the Torah. This is what I would expect based on my knowledge of you and your drashot. You have recently increased in ideas and lessons, which you have incorporated through the sparks of sanctity that you brought up from the depths of the "peels," by using many new tools from the world of modern literature. May you be blessed with strength, for this a phenomenon that is appropriate and actually required.
[We will skip a paragraph on Rav Kook’s suggestions regarding technical help in publishing.]
I want to point out that we need to actively invest in building our nation in the Holy Land rather than getting overly involved in criticizing those who have little faith and use their imagination to limit the extent of Hashem’s Hand. As the Ba’al Shem Tov said, we have to serve Hashem in all ways. We also have to look toward national liberation, which is one of the foundations of the service of Hashem, about which we are asked on our day of judgment (see Shabbat 31a). There are different ways to do this, and they are not mutually exclusive. We just need to "prepare the road," removing the thorn bushes and stumbling stones, whereas all the roads themselves lead to the goal. The closer the goal is the less important the impediments are.
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
P'ninat Mishpat Payments after a Gradual End of Employment
(Based on ruling 82024 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
P'ninat Mishpat Who Breached the Contract? – part IV
Based on ruling 81087 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Igrot Hare’aya Informing a Friend he Is Not Insulted – #320
Date and Place: 5 Menachem Av 5670 (1910), Rechovot (probably)
Igrot Hare’aya Excitement over a Friend’s New Newspaper – #319
Date and Place: 4 Menachem Av 5670 (1910), Rechovot
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.
