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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Igrot Hare’aya
Body : This piece gets more specific about Rav Kook’s requests of Betzalel to adopt.
The broad realm of pleasantness, grandeur, beauty, and art is permissible for Jews. There is just one line (area of restriction), one etching, although it seems major, but it is actually only large qualitatively but not quantitatively. Spiritually, it is major, but it silences art only slightly, considering how broad that is: "All faces are permitted except for the face of a person" (Rosh Hashana 24b). In fact, it is only forbidden when the face protrudes and is complete. Even in those cases, there are ideas to employ – it is possible to use a non-Jewish assistant when one is up to the end of such a special piece of art, as this is when the prohibition comes into play. Only a simple "point" will remain forbidden along the "line" of matters in which one should be careful. In any case, there is a lot of philosophy behind this – it is only regarding the type of artwork that is connected to idolatry, whether in the pagan world of the past and present or whether in the Christian world. These are things that the Jewish People cannot tolerate.
Therefore, it is incumbent upon us, with a sacred obligation, that in our special national treasure, our holy city, there will not be any statues of this type. We would greatly appreciate if your respected organization will inform the whole world, Jewish and general, that all of its projects should be done based on the rulings of the Torah scholars, the spiritual giants of Eretz Yisrael, who are well-known within the nation. This is especially true regarding the narrow path where the feelings of the nation, its religion, and matters of art coincide and especially when the competing desires occur in the city that is the height of the nation’s hopes and glory and its strength and source of sanctity.
My brothers, you can be sure that a small measure of care will pave the way to your goals, which we, those who love our nation and our Land and desire their honor and success, all hope for, with paths paved to the hearts of the people. The practical benefit and blessing that we will have from your distinguished institution should not find any stumbling block in its path. You should go hand-in-hand with all factions in our nation, both those spread around the world and those who are in the Desired Land. They should all support the spreading of the light of practical life with all of your fine aspirations.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
143 - Jewish Art – The Positive and Halachic Care
144 - Jewish Art – The Positive and Halachic Care
145 - Seeking the Return of Religious Aliya
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Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Multiple Agreements and Parties – part IV
based on final ruling of 80082 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 Trying to Arrange Purchase of Land in Eretz Yisrael
#222 Date and Place: 2 Elul 5669 (1909), Rechovot
Igrot Hare’aya Semi-solicited Advice to Calm Down Petach Tikva
#227 Date and Place: 8 Tishrei 5669, Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Concern for Communal Kashrut Standards – #288, 290
Date and Place: 4 Nisan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Maintaining a Friendship of the Spirit – #266 – part IV
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook; Date and Place: 11 Shevat 5670, 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.
