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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Igrot Hare’aya
Recipient: The members of the moshavot (agricultural settlements)
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
127 - Dreaming of Deep Ideas with a Like-minded Person
128 - Preparation for Shemitta
129 - Making Sure There Will Be a Din Torah
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Body: Next year, 5670 will be a Shemitta year. It is known that there are a lot of questions and dilemmas on all the matters of working the land during the Seventh Year. It is true that we are in the practice of being lenient, based on the famous ruling of the giants of Torah to sell the land to non-Jews as a temporary ruling. This will be carried out under the rulings of an important beit din, as long as it views the situation of the Jewish community of Eretz Yisrael as leaving no other choice. However, many matters still need to be clarified: Which agricultural processes are totally permitted? Which are permitted only if performed by a non-Jew? Which actions are not critical for the viability of the community and to remedy the situation, and there would be no damage if they will wait for the year after Shemitta (in which case, they should not be done at all)?
We have rabbinical sources, from Chazal to Rishonim and Acharonim, from whom we can find answers to all questions, based on the proper means of developing deep halachic rulings. However, it is also necessary to have a nice amount of knowledge about the details of the agricultural work. This information needs to relate to the nature of the work, how it is carried out practically, and how critical it is. Sometimes these matters cannot be determined without knowledge based on the practical experience of those who work in the field.
Therefore, I am requesting of all who are involved in the cultivation of our Holy Land in the dear moshavot, may they be successful, both the individuals and the distinguished councils, to please send me, each according to his ability, exact information regarding the work that is done in their area. Of those who are also knowledgeable in Torah, I request that they be so kind as to write to me the halachic dilemmas about which they have insight. This will combine their knowledge of Torah and their knowledge of agriculture. These steps will help us clarify the relevant matters seriously and respond to all those who ask for clear responses according to true application of the Torah, with Hashem’s help.
I have a special request of those few who are able to be careful and do not want to take advantage of the leniencies that stem from the sale of the land, but will keep the full gamut of the laws of Shemitta. They will need to know in greater detail all the types of work and practices that are connected to the sanctity of the upcoming Shemitta. They should prepare their specific questions as soon as possible, so that we will be able to securely set the parameters for their activities on time.
Whoever can present his correspondence on these matters in Hebrew will be doing a nice thing. However, whoever cannot do so, should not hold back what he has to say in whatever language he has to say it.
The Savior of Israel shall quickly begin the process of our salvation in the Holy Land and shall shower His holy nation in its homeland with a flow of unending blessing. May He give us a great name and stature among the nations of the world, when He sends forth salvation from Zion to Israel in whom He is glorified, soon in our days.
Igrot Hare’aya Worse on the Outside, Better on the Inside – #332
Date and Place: 26 Elul 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Informing a Friend he Is Not Insulted – #320
Date and Place: 5 Menachem Av 5670 (1910), Rechovot (probably)
Igrot Hare’aya Adding Elements to Strengthen the Heter Mechira – #313
Date and Place: 21 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
