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Beit Midrash
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- Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions
Answer: One may not read shitrei hedyotot on Shabbat (Shabbat 116b). Another gemara may extend this prohibition. The mishna (Shabbat 148b) forbids reading a guest list on Shabbat. The gemara (ibid. 149a) cites two opinions on the reason for this: the reader might erase some of it; reading it might bring one to read shitrei hedyotot.
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions (654)
Rabbi Daniel Mann
565 - Reciting Holy Things Near Garbage Containers
566 - Reading Advertisements on Shabbat
567 - Are Newly Ripe Avocados Muktzeh?
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The reading’s intensity makes a difference. While there is an opinion that the prohibition is only for reading with one’s mouth (see Beit Yosef, Orach Chayim 307), we pasken that reading with the eyes is also generally forbidden (Shulchan Aruch and Rama, OC 307:12-13). However, glancing at something, without intent to pick up content, is permitted (Ne’ot Mordechai XVIII, p. 70; Dirshu 307:58). Consider that in order to avoid reading something, one first needs to see (= read superficially) what it is.
It has been debated for centuries whether one may read newspapers on Shabbat (beyond our present scope). In this context, the She’eilat Ya’avetz’s (I:162) reason not to raises your critical question. He says a newspaper should have been permitted, but one should not read one because he is liable to read the ads within it. The Mishna Berura (307:63) seems to prefer this opinion, but many view this as a chumra, good advice, and/or for people who are drawn to the paper’s commercial parts (see Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchata 29:46; Da’at Torah 307:16).
In Torah oriented or based publications, other leniencies apply. First, even those who would forbid or discourage reading newspapers because of the commercial parts, permit reading divrei Torah even if they are in the proximity of advertisements (Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchata ibid.; Avnei Yashfeh I, OC 76).
More fundamentally, the mitzva element is its own heter regarding would-be Shabbat violations of what one should be occupied with on Shabbat (see Shabbat 113a). This permits reading an advertisement of mitzva, e.g., notification of a shiur, tzedaka appeal (Orchot Shabbat 22:132, based on Magen Avraham 307:16). It is somewhat less clear if it is permitted to read a commercial ad (i.e., for profit), when the sales item is used for a mitzva e.g., sefarim, 4 minim (see ibid. 129; Ne’ot Mordechai XVIII, p. 230).
If we accept the latter leniency, then we must analyze many commercial ads in parasha sheets to determine whether they count as mitzva matters in this regard. In many types of ads, it can depend on the specifics and/or the reader, as we can see (in brief) in the following examples: 1. Real estate in Israel can be a mitzva if needed to strengthen our hold on the Land or enable aliya; 2. Most travel offers are about enjoyment, but, for a few, the Torah or mitzva element could be major; 3. Some health services are just nice, and some are life-saving.
We recommend that publications whose content is Shabbat appropriate can be read on Shabbat, but it is best to not read any commercial ads (it is too complicated to figure out each time and people may lack the discipline to look and then look away). However, there is room for limmud z’chut for quite a few ads.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
