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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 them, around the question of Rav Halevi’s help with Rav Kook’s proposed yeshiva, focus this time on the importance that new styles of Torah learning not negatively impact Torah tradition.
Body : It would be degrading to us to compare the lofty house (i.e. the planned yeshiva), which is based on a sacred, pure spirit, to Western seminaries. Even the best of these seminaries made their secular studies and Western culture the main element and their Torah and fear of Hashem secondary. Not that all seminaries’ founders were guilty in the matter; some were righteous and great experts in Torah. The problem was that German/Western Jewry was already ruined by the wayward Jews who preceded us by a couple of generations. Due to this, even the well-intentioned did not find the ability to build their most basic studies of Torah and general Judaism on firm foundations. We remember favorably that they saved their communities from total destruction. Even though their work was far from "returning the crown to its old position," the way the Men of the Great Assembly did when they blessed Hashem’s Great Name (see Yoma 69b), they did what they could.
In our case, if we will take the existing opportunity to diligently do our work in the Holy Land, and use the good human resources, we will act successfully. There are tens of thousands of people, possessing healthy, fresh Judaism, who love Torah and are dedicated with all their hearts to Judaism and to Hashem’s covenant with His nation. We do not need to adorn the Torah scholars who will stand at the forefront of Judaism with all the adornments that existed in the German model (broad secular studies). These generally caused those involved to lose their Torah and fear of Hashem. Rather, we strive to train the highest-level Torah scholars, for whom the main part of their Judaism is greatness in Torah and fear of Heaven. Along with that, we want them to be part of what transpires in the communities, men who are full of life and vigor, capable of speaking fluently, with a basic awareness of culture and manners. We do not want to produce overly formalistic people who try to sanctify meaningless details, but rather those who act with a dignity that befits Torah scholars. This was always a hallmark of the Jewish People, until darkness covered the land, in events like the horrible latest decrees that befell the nation and the tremendous spiritual confusion, such as the periods of the Khmelnytsky uprising and the cursed Shabtai Tzvi, and the afflictions that followed them.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
131 - The Study of Machshevet Yisrael in Yeshiva
132 - Not Copying Western Seminaries
133 - A Liberal Religious School – Better than the Alternative
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The correct study of the Torah’s spiritual side should be instituted even if it had not been studied in previous generations because the spiritual malady was not severe then. In truth, though, such study was done regularly from way back in history. This is the case regarding all of the homiletic passages and midrashim, which contain the Torah’s storehouses of life, including incredible spiritual wisdom that is "hidden in envelopes" for various reasons. These were studied by those who were fit for them, with all their internal grandeur. In recent generations, some of the greatest rabbis learned these spiritual matters regularly, whether it be in the style of Kabbala, investigation, or ethics. They were certainly studied in a manner that gives off fruit, and fruit of fruit. In the past, it was not necessary to broaden the matter fully, just as it was not necessary to remove the pitfalls in the field of history, because matters were not as contentious as they now are, since those who defile our belief system came and polluted matters.
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
Igrot Hare’aya Connecting Disciplines in Torah Study
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook #103 – part II
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 Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part III
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.
