Yeshiva
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Igrot Hare’aya
Recipient : Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac Halevi. As mentioned, we have featured many letters between the two. The ideological negotiations between the two, around the question of Rav Halevi’s help with Rav Kook’s proposed yeshiva, focus this time on the study of Machshevet Yisrael (Jewish Philosophy).
Body : I want that the upper echelon of the institution, the full-time yeshiva, will learn Torah in the broadest sense, consisting of all its parts, both from a practical perspective and a more theoretical, spiritual perspective. You apparently do not agree, and what I desire to include in the set Torah study, you apparently call "old investigations, which do not make a difference in our days." I must clarify matters, so that hopefully we can agree on this fundamental point.
When I say that we need to learn the Torah’s spiritual side on a regular basis, as it is the generation’s salvation, I do not at all mean to limit my aspirations to studying a set list of books, classic or more recent ones. I do not intend to promote study of Rav Saadia Gaon’s Emunot V’de’ot, the Moreh Nevuhim, the Kuzari, or the like, so students will know what they say and use their ideas in our philosophical battles. I agree that much of what they wrote is outdated because the world no longer accepts the old philosophical foundations. We still have interest in studying these works, because they contain eternal ideas that cannot be nullified by the time’s prevalent scientific assumptions.
The world has moved on from the whole approach, because they have left the realm of spiritual ideas and have embraced the study of life and activity instead. In truth, [the world] is very negatively affected by the absence in its thoughts of the "oil of spirituality." It robs them of all the grace and gentleness of the circle of life. Therefore, clearly, they will eventually return to search with candles for the spiritual treasure the world abandoned in favor of briskly adopting life’s material side.
In any case, this applies only to special individuals, and therefore these are not elements [I look to teach students because of its practical value], but rather because it is included in the obligation of Torah study in its most complete degree, and the value will eventually be reached. Therefore, I do not remove any element of such study, which are part of the Torah’s spiritual treasure house, whether in the Written Law or Oral Law, from the medieval or more recent thinkers, whether those with a philosophical approach or those who research, Kabbalists, experts in aggadic literature and homiletics or those who focus on ethics and lessons in service of Hashem. They all represent a major area of Torah, and therefore there is a major obligation to know the works.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
103 - Do We Need New Paths?
104 - The Study of Machshevet Yisrael in Yeshiva - part I
105 - The Study of Machshevet Yisrael in Yeshiva
Load More
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
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 Raffle of Property in Eretz Yisrael for Tzedaka
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: – #220
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 The State of Religion in Eretz Yisrael – #277 – part I
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook Date and Place: 9 Adar I 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Possibilities of Creating Religious Moshavot – #284 – part I
Date and Place: 1 Adar II, 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Description of New Yeshiva’s Goals to a Supporter – #328
Date and Place: 12 Elul 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Maintaining a Friendship of the Spirit – #266 – part I
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: Date and Place: 11 Shevat 5670, Yafo
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Various Events FOR WHOM NOT TO VOTE
Rav Zvi Yehuda Kook stressed that Israeli politics is G-dly, so I have no problem answering this common question on a Torani blog. Also, Free-Will is a G-d-given right and obligation, to "destine one's fate" (R. Soloveichik, Kol Dodi Dofek, 67), so I obviously don't tell others how to vote. But once not a few (especially young) have already asked, a couple of personal words from experience and thoughts from chazal & Rav Kook which may be of help to others, mainly for whom NOT to vote.
P'ninat Mishpat Fallout from Failure to Install Elevator – part II
based on ruling 85007 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
