Yeshiva
Beit Midrash
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- 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 importance of new styles to Torah learning not negatively impacting Torah tradition.
Body : We cannot ignore the pained cries of the greatest Torah leaders, kabbalists and philosophers, men of mussar and spirituality, over the abandonment of spirituality. Such complaints have a basis in Tanach and the writings of Chazal. Knowledge of Hashem, loving Him and fearing His awesomeness, made possible by recognition and knowledge, along with strong, healthy emotions, are fundamental to the world and all living things. It is crucial for all purposes of the Torah and mitzvot, for all the Talmud and Halacha.
The factor that incited destroyers of the belief system to deny our religious traditions came from the dimming of the world’s internal light that goes through "spiritual pipes," from generation to generation. Therefore, love of Hashem has dwindled with the lack in knowledge of Him; as feeling dried up, affection ceased. With love of Hashem missing, evil set out to paint fear of Hashem as a burden and utilize evil and ignorant denials to try to destroy it.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
104 - The Study of Machshevet Yisrael in Yeshiva - part I
105 - The Study of Machshevet Yisrael in Yeshiva
106 - Not Copying Western Seminaries
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On the other hand, the proper heart of a Jew is full of sanctity and love of Torah and mitzvot. These emanate from love of Hashem and His ways, which is connected to love of the People and Land of Israel, as one waits for the liberation of the People in the Land, as the Leader of the World set aside for them to inherit. A proper heart sees things straight and takes in proper stride the chain of generations [of Rabbinic leaders] and the influence of each one. Such a person would not think to claim that something that happened later actually happened earlier, even though it would not have bothered him if this were so.
In contrast, the heart from which everything sacred is removed looks for excuses and claims, and evilly argues that if he alters the order of history, it may be easier to destroy truths. If we let that heart remain empty and do not restore life with internal light from the holy "dew of Torah" then even if we combat the historical claims (as you, Harav Halevi, do in your books), he will find some other excuse to use against the sanctity of the Torah.
Therefore, it is necessary to not only teach history along the lines that you have set out, but also include spiritual study. This is needed to provide the emotional element of Torah study and learn lessons to inspire our present generation.
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
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 Who Breached the Contract? – part IV
Based on ruling 81087 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
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 Semi-solicited Advice to Calm Down Petach Tikva
#227 Date and Place: 8 Tishrei 5669, Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya The Need for a Broader Education – #274
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook Date and Place: 8 Adar I 5670, Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Excerpts of Letter on Shemitta – #289 – part I
Date and Place: 6 Nisan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Adding Elements to Strengthen the Heter Mechira – #313
Date and Place: 21 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Rabbis in Midrash
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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
