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Beit Midrash
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- Yitro
Moshe’s court had an extreme backlog, and a positive judicial revolution was needed. After deliberations between Moshe and Yitro, agreement was reached, and Hashem gave His approval. Those primary principles form the basis of judicial Halacha to this day.
Yitro was troubled when he saw people lining up to speak to Moshe from day to night. He argued that this would tire out both the nation and Moshe and would eventually become totally untenable (Shemot 18:13-18).
Yitro also made recommendations as to criteria for being a judge: industrious men (who are strong and unafraid of people), those who fear Hashem, men of truth (and only truth), and those who hate bribery (and are not attracted to money) (ibid. 21-22). They put together a committee to vet candidates. With the correct number of such people, broken up into jurisdictions of different sizes (judges for thousands, judges for hundreds, judges for fifties, judges for tens), the workload on Moshe would be lightened.
After accepting the recommendations, Bnei Yisrael were unable to find enough people who fit all of the qualifications. This is hinted at by the pasuk (ibid. 25), and confirmed by Chazal (Midrash Aggada, Shemot 18:25). When a project deserves very ambitious standards, even if these cannot be fully met, it is still critical to aim for the highest.
In the Halachic Midrash, we find an important guideline for the mutual relationship between the nation and its judges. "[Moshe] appointed judges and commanded them to put up with the difficulties imposed on them by the populace … and commanded the nation to treat the judges with respect" (Mechilta D’Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai 18:25).
There are two further points upon which we wish to concentrate. 1. Moshe and Yitro discussed different categories of cases that would come before the judges: "big (gadol) matters," "small (katan) matters," and "difficult (kasheh) matters." What is the difference between these categories? 2. How did the courts of different levels, from the judges of tens all the way up to Moshe, operate? How does it compare to today’s court levels all the way up to the Supreme Court? Understanding these matters will help us understand how a proper judicial system should work, and we will take that up next week.
This is the time [again, written a year ago] to warn the nation. The State of Israel, and by implication, the entire Jewish nation, is at a crucial period of time in many ways. Extremism in the public discourse and the great divide within sections of the nation, which finds expression in harsh language, is bubbling in the streets and media, and it has destabilized the basis for joint existence. This is the time to take responsibility and seek out common ground. While we continue to strive for perfection, we must not do it at the price of irreparable social fracture.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
