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Recipient: The Council of Rechovot
Body: With a rejoicing of the heart and thanks, I received your pleasant invitation to the celebration of the cornerstone placing for the houses for our brothers, the Yemenite workers. You know how close this wonderful matter is to my heart and how happy I was when this approached fruition. You also know how much I wanted to be present at your holy celebration and take part in its joyousness – a happiness of mitzva. I am greatly disappointed that the eye disease that has attacked me in the last few days prevents my fulfilling my desire. Therefore, I am compelled to make due with expressing my warm blessing in writing for our celebration.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
153 - Appeal to Buy from Religious Winery
154 - Celebration of Quarters for Yemenite Community
155 - The Need for Torah Devotees to Write on Jewish Philosophy
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Involvement in Choice of Turkish Chief Rabbi – #163
Date and Place: 5 Tishrei 5769 (1908), Yafo
Recipient: Rav Yitzchak Isaac Halevi, author of Dorot Rishonim, an active rabbi in broad Jewish organizations. We have seen several of his correspondences with Rav Kook.
Body: I very, very much desire that the organization you head (The General Alliance for the Preservation of Matters of Torah and Mitzvot of German Jews) will not invest too much energy on the matter of the Chief Rabbinate (chacham bashi) throughout the Turkish Empire. I am concerned that "when you strive for too much, you do not achieve [anything]." For now, efforts should be directed to ensure that this position, vis a vis the authorities, in Jerusalem, will be in the hands of a G-d fearer. It would be worthwhile, to a lesser degree, to give a look at what is happening in other places.
It would be unwise if that involvement took the place of the main task – to raise the stature of Torah [in Eretz Yisrael] through good yeshivot, up-to-date, with the spirit of the time and the sanctity of truth; this will bring on the victory in the future, with Hashem’s help.
It certainly would have been good if we could have kept the Chief Rabbinate in the hands of Torah giants, but we see that this is impossible. For the Ashkenazi community, there is almost no difference [who is chosen] except for the negative consideration – that the position not be given to a member of the group of "destroyers." The original lowering of the post already occurred – Torah brilliance is no longer a criterion for being chacham bashi. This has enabled other deteriorations. For now there is no one [of sufficient stature] to tell the government that the basis of the Chief Rabbinate is to solve the religious problems on matters that all the great rabbis of various countries are unclear about. The government realizes that this is already a non-issue. No one will sit on the seat of the rabbinate in Constantinople who is similar to Rav Eliyahu Mizrachi or Rav Bechor, author of the Diveri Emet, some of the chacham bashis of previous generations. It is now viewed as a governmental, administrative post for the needs of the citizens of that religion. How will we fight the matter?
Therefore, we must elevate the power of Torah to its highest so that in the future there will be great Torah scholars who are able to present themselves in the halls of the king. Then Hashem will be with us; we will be able to prepare a stake for our nation in His holy place.
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
Igrot Hare’aya Connecting Disciplines in Torah Study
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook #103 – part II
Igrot Hare’aya Trying to Arrange Purchase of Land in Eretz Yisrael
#222 Date and Place: 2 Elul 5669 (1909), Rechovot
Igrot Hare’aya Adding Elements to Strengthen the Heter Mechira – #313
Date and Place: 21 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part IV
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
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)
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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)
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)
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.
P'ninat Mishpat 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: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
