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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Igrot Hare’aya
Recipient : We continue the letter to Rav Yitzchak Isaac Halevi, whose letters we have featured several times.
Body : In no way must we learn from the ways of Europe, although this is not an absolute rule, as we should learn "from the most refined of them." However, nowadays, with such problematic ideas, it is difficult to identify these refined ones. Therefore, we must dig ever deeper into the Torah’s light.
The Torah cannot forever be limited to in-depth study of practical Halacha. The Torah’s spiritual part, in all its breadth and depth must make its way into the yeshiva. This includes homiletics, midrashim (revealed and sublime), books of inquiry, in-depth Kabbala, ethics, philosophy, grammar, and poetry. Certainly I refer to the poetry of the "scholars of truth" and the early pious; these are also part of the essential Torah. We cannot give them too much time and regularity, like the study of Halacha, Talmud, and early and late halachists, but we cannot prevent them from receiving a prominent place. This is particularly true in our times, especially in Eretz Yisrael, which requires spiritual engagement from its sons due to its natural sanctity. This is especially true in our generation, and in the New Yishuv, which requires spiritual medicine. This is not a European idea; it is fully ours.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
123 - Why Moshavot Do Not Appoint Rabbis
124 - Lessons from Europe?
125 - Do We Need New Paths?
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You suspect that I know only about Russian Jewry. If I had seen the floundering of German Jewry, who were not careful to fix the yeshivot but keep them otherwise as they were, then I would say differently. But I must point out that I am fully aware about life in the German Jewish community. While I have not seen it with my eyes, I have thought about it greatly based on reports I have received. It is this familiarity that compels me to want to start the type of yeshiva I am talking about.
My idea is like yours: "to fix the yeshivot but keep them otherwise as they were." This means to bring a spirit of life into the Torah’s logic, so that the Torah can weather the present-day storm and increase the quantity and quality of Torah study, and study Torah with disciplines with which the old system did not become involved. This includes noting historical context and critical analysis, which have been forcefully snatched by the destroyers of the Torah. You are a pioneer in incorporating historical elements and thereby saving matters by using an intellectual approach that is faithful to Torah. The more people adopt this style, which is new to true Torah scholars, the more it becomes possible for others to increase knowledge in this manner.
Such a new approach will not, Heaven forbid, cause the Torah to be forgotten, remove knowledge of it from the rabbis, or make those who fear Hashem more like non-Jews than Jews. Rather it will broaden the intellect, increasing sharpness and knowledge and make the Torah more beloved, while elevating souls and banishing the foreign spirit, which erodes the House of Yaakov. When the spirit is elevated by knowing the greatness of the value of the Torah and of Hashem, by seeing its broadness, we will be able to properly sing Hashem’s praises.
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
Igrot Hare’aya Connecting Disciplines in Torah Study
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook 103 – part III
Igrot Hare’aya Raffle of Property in Eretz Yisrael for Tzedaka
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: – #220
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
P'ninat Mishpat Repercussions of a Sale That Turned Out Not Happening – part II
(based on ruling 83045 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Igrot Hare’aya Description of New Yeshiva’s Goals to a Supporter – #328
Date and Place: 12 Elul 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Alternatives to Gymnasium and Grafted Etrogim – #286
Date and Place: 18 Adar II, 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Possibilities of Creating Religious Moshavot – #284 – part I
Date and Place: 1 Adar II, 5670 (1910), Yafo
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(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)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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)
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)
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.
P'ninat Mishpat 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: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
