YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- 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
Load More
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 Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part II
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya The State of Religion in Eretz Yisrael – #277 – part II
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook Date and Place: 9 Adar I 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Maintaining a Friendship of the Spirit – #266 – part II
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook, Date and Place: 11 Shevat 5670, Yafo
Peninei Halakha 11. Shaving One’s Beard During the Three Weeks
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
