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Beit Midrash
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Everyone must start his development from the beginning. The Torah is not acquired by inheritance. A good family tree does not suffice for anything substantial. Not only is one not assured anything based on who is father is, but one is not even assured anything based on what he himself has accomplished. Every month begins anew. The accomplishments and attainments one has accumulated in the past are not the key. Rather, it takes hard work, industriousness, effort, drive, and the ability to recreate himself. All of this we learn from the moon.
This is also behind the statement, "David, King of Israel, is alive and existing" (from Kiddush Levana). The monarchy in Israel starts specifically from the small. Hashem said, "My firstborn son is Israel" (Shemot 4:22). It is specifically Israel, which is a young nation, that is called the firstborn. Similarly, David, who was the young child in his family, became the king. It is specifically the one who knows how to rise out of his starting point to higher levels who is important.
It is this same idea that Hashem commanded Israel, surprisingly, when they were still involved in idol worship living within a foreign culture. They were to elevate themselves not by using a strong education from their fathers’ houses but specifically from within a defiled atmosphere and a corrupt country. Straight from there, they went to serve Hashem. This is the achievement they attained in the "iron cauldron" of Egypt, where they were formed as a nation.
"I shall remember My covenant with Yaakov and even My covenant with Yitzchak, and even My covenant with Avraham I shall remember" (Vayikra 26:42). This pasuk is found in the context of the Rebuke. It teaches us that we need to set a proper path for ourselves even at a time when the path seems clear due to the actions of the forefathers. In fact, we can learn from them, that each one of the forefathers was his own patriarch, each paved his own unique path, and certainly none of them was willing to suffice with only that which he "inherited" from his father(s).
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
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
P'ninat Mishpat Payments after a Gradual End of Employment
(Based on ruling 82024 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
