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 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
105 - The Study of Machshevet Yisrael in Yeshiva
106 - Not Copying Western Seminaries
107 - 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
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 Repercussions of a Sale That Turned Out Not Happening – part II
(based on ruling 83045 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Limits of Interest Rate for Loan with Heter Iska – part II
based on ruling 80033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Igrot Hare’aya Excerpts of Letter on Shemitta – #289 – part II
Date and Place: 6 Nisan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part III
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Language of Instruction for Rav Kook’s Yeshiva – #325
Date and Place: 4 Elul 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Shemitta Work at Israel National Fund Land – #
Date and Place: 3 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
