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Recipient : Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchaki, former Chief Rabbi of Dagestan, who moved to Yerushalayim and founded the village that is now called Be’er Yaakov. He was a talmid chacham and a historian of the Jews of his region, with fascinating theories. He was also an expert on the liturgy of his community (Sephardim of the Caucasus region) and published the machzor "Ohalei Yaakov," which he sent to Rav Kook for his approbation and comments.
Body : I received your dear letter along with the precious machzor with your wonderful commentary, "Ohalei Yaakov." It brought me great joy, breadth, and song in the heart to see the grand "work of your hand." This will bring great goodness for the House of Israel and the Sephardic community, may they be well, as you shined dear light on all of the holy liturgical poems, which are storehouses of light and true sanctity from earlier times. It is such a good storehouse, to gather together the songs of early holy noblemen, which used to be scattered in different places, and now you bring them to "one table," which is full of the blessing of Hashem, ready to be accessed by all who desire to draw out pearls from the depths. The merit of the masses will be attributable to you forever.
That which you asked for an approbation on your dear commentary, I am much too small to do such a thing. After all, all of your holy words are dear, and indicate that he who wrote them has a pure heart and broad knowledge in all areas of Torah scholarship. In contrast, I am young and lowly. What power do I have to praise the type of praise that such writing deserves, as it is full of light and divine glow and intensity, which draw the human soul to them?
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
109 - How to React to Academia’s Version of Tanach Events
110 - Remarks on a Yom Kippur Machzor
111 - When Should Mitzvot Cease to Apply?
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I want to share with you a few comments, but I am too preoccupied to go over all of your holy words. [We will share only some of those comments.]
In Rav Moshe Ibn Ezra’s "Kamti B’ashmoret," it says "nafshi shcharchoret" (my soul is blackened). You wrote that this means that sins blemish the soul. This is certainly true, but as far as what the words mean in context, I see it differently. It is a simple metaphor for a person whose spirit is saddened, and he is in a blackened state of depression, like one who wears black clothing. This expresses that the person regrets his sins, which is one of the major elements of repentance according to Rabbeinu Yonah’s Sha’arei Teshuva (I:10).
"He washed and purified himself" – I want to complete the idea you presented. The theme is that we are talking about something that is easy to do and the reward is great. By means of the simple process of washing, he will attain full healing. So too, repentance is very accessible and easy, as the Torah says, "For the matter is very close to you" (Devarim 30:14). The great benefit is a full recovery of the body and the spirit and actually for the whole world. It is as is written in Sha’arei Teshuva (I:2), regarding those who were arrested by the kingdom due to a sin. They were left an open escape route, and the authorities were upset at those who did not try to escape. If they saw the escape route, they should have realized that the king wanted them to be able to escape, as the king desires good for his people.
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
Igrot Hare’aya Raffle of Property in Eretz Yisrael for Tzedaka
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: – #220
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 Profits from Formerly Joint Swimming Pool – part
(based on ruling 81110 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Igrot Hare’aya Excerpts of Letter on Shemitta – #289 – part II
Date and Place: 6 Nisan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Maintaining a Friendship of the Spirit – #266 – part IV
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook; Date and Place: 11 Shevat 5670, Yafo
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
