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Recipient: Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer, Rabbi and Rosh Yeshiva of Slutzk. Rav Isser Zalman overlapped with Rav Kook in the Volozhin yeshiva and was also a great lover of Eretz Yisrael. Years later, they would reunite in Jerusalem, with Rav Kook as the Chief Rabbi and Rav Isser Zalman as the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Etz Chaim, where many of Rav Kook’s most prominent supporters taught and studied. Rav Meltzer was the author of Even Ha’ezel on the Rambam, and, of significance here, was the editor of the Torah Journal, Yagdil Torah.
Body: I have received the Yagdil Torah journal, including your open letter. During these days of great preoccupation with the holy work that is placed on my weak shoulders, which is so tiring, I have not secured the strength to pay my debt of respect and love for you, my respected colleague and thank you for the desirable flowers (the journal) with which you have honored me with the first edition. I hope that the publication will spread and that it will be adorned with many and great desired fruit, people who support your hand and those who stand behind your flag, helping in practical and spiritual ways. Then the matter will grow, and there will be offshoots to increase Torah and widen its goals.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
153 - Dreaming of Deep Ideas with a Likeminded Person
154 - Deeper Literature
155 - Deeper Literature
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Now let me write a bit about the second stated purpose of your journal (to give inspiration to those with a Torah background who have been drawn to the works of those who are not true to Torah beliefs). Undeniably, there is great value in literature that is presented with all of the modern tools in order to strengthen and repair the many problems in the House of Israel. However, oh friends whom I love with heart and soul, we must be ready to provide more than words of encouragement that come from the heart – which are indeed sometimes good. Rather we mainly require words of intellectual depth coming from the thinking mind.
The ability to do this will return to us when we pave a path for the elite, outstandingly talented among the young Torah scholars and make sure that they are conversant in the in-depth part of the Torah (i.e., Kabbalistic/philosophical thought), which is the source of every lofty thought and every delicate and holy feeling. By increasing knowledge in this abandoned part of the Torah, and by adorning it, in all of its subjects and tools, we will quickly create men of the heart with great power, who will be able to speak in the city gates ideas that will return a spirit of life to our nation’s heart. Our nation is fainting from terrible thirst for the word of Hashem.
It is true that not all minds or all hearts are fit for lofty spiritual intellectuality and for internal holy emotions, which I mention. However, Israel is not a widower (i.e., we have many resources). From the choice, young, holy "flowers" of Torah scholars there will always be, and certainly now when such skills are crucial, a significant number of people whose spirit leans in the direction of serious study of spirituality, with great toil and intellectual depth, desire, and internal happiness.
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
P'ninat Mishpat Who Breached the Contract? – part IV
Based on ruling 81087 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
P'ninat Mishpat Repercussions of a Sale that Turned Out Not Happening – part III
(based on ruling 83045 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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 Excerpts of Letter on Shemitta – #289 – part I
Date and Place: 6 Nisan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya What Requires Protest? – #279
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook Date and Place: 15 Adar I 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Public Response to Zealous Defense of Rav Kook – #308
Date and Place: 15 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Rabbis in Midrash
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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)
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: 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)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
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.
