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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Igrot Hare’aya
Recipient : Rabbi Shmuel Alexandrov. Alexandrov was a yeshiva-trained scholar, who was an autodidact in languages, philosophy, and science. He was a very independent thinker who at times angered the Maskilim and at times angered traditional rabbis. He was a member of the Mizrachi movement and tried, over the years, to recruit Rav Kook to take a leadership role within that movement. This is one of many correspondences between the two on matters of Jewish philosophy.
Body : That which it is so popular these days to speak of the development of Judaism is just one side of the coin. It is pleasant to speak about the side of Judaism that is similar to the rest of the nations. However, we need to find the opportunity to also speak freely about that which is different about us in comparison to all the other nations of the world. How long will we be so self-defeating that we should always suspect only ourselves [of being overly proud]?!
There are many praises and high levels of greatness that are found about us in very important sources. Other nations would have proudly raised themselves to a pedestal above all if such things would have been written about them, always presenting themselves as possessing great personal advantages. Once the venom of the imported concept of liberalism started circulating in our blood, we only know how to erase the traits that make us so prominent among our surroundings. We should not diminish the differences even by a hairbreadth from the Kuzari’s categorization of a fifth category (I:103).
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
117 - The Torah as a Source of Political Theories
118 - Is Israel So Different from the Nations?
119 - Our National Sleep
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The national psychology that burst forth at one quick moment, when the nation was amazingly elevated at the Exodus from Egypt, was unparalleled in world history. The bold elevation in the nation’s psychology was so powerful that it impacted on the development of cosmetology, in the annals of human history. The generation of the desert experienced a historical episode.
It would be a disgrace to falsify our wonderful history and the special power that goes with it. The creation of a unique national psyche is especially indicative of Bnei Yisrael, which is known as "she is unique to her mother" (Shir Hashirim 6:9). Afterward, when the glow of the glorious national psyche, which was influenced by Moshe, the trustworthy shepherd, settled, a process of development began, which affected Judaism like any other nation. However, the foundational lines of elevated greatness impacted by Hashem are never erased from the nation.
The sudden spiritual elevation was lowered by the sin of the Golden Calf and the breaking of the Tablets. However, in the future, their full light will return. The paths of life will then be more visible and light emitting, and, as a result, freer and holier in regards to the sanctity of truth, which is purer than all of the fog that subdues light and presently covers sanctity.
We are now in a period in which we should show all of the lights that we have hidden in our storehouses. Even those whose practical side will not be operative until the distant future, should already be revealed to bolster our national essence, which strengthens our national character. It requires constant nourishment to grow. It would be tragic to think that we could draw the light in a purely abstract form without any practical physical expression (i.e., mitzvot).
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
Igrot Hare’aya Raffle of Property in Eretz Yisrael for Tzedaka
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: – #220
P'ninat Mishpat Payments after a Gradual End of Employment
(Based on ruling 82024 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 Excitement over a Friend’s New Newspaper – #319
Date and Place: 4 Menachem Av 5670 (1910), Rechovot
Igrot Hare’aya Concern for Communal Kashrut Standards – #288, 290
Date and Place: 4 Nisan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part I
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), 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.
