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Beit Midrash
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- Igrot Hare’aya
Recipient: Rav Yaakov Dovid Wilovsky, known as the Ridbaz. The Ridbaz was a leading Torah scholar, who had served as a rabbi in several communities in Eastern Europe and then in Chicago. In 1905, he moved to Eretz Yisrael and founded a yeshiva in Tzfat. An author of many Talmudic works, his most famous halachic stand was against the heter mechira, the temporary sale of land in Eretz Yisrael in an attempt to obviate the restrictions of Shemitta (the Sabbatical year).
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
159 - Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: – #189 – part I
160 - The Need to Sell the Land before Shemitta
161 - Shemitta for Fields of Grain and Vegetables
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Body: [Last time, we saw Rav Kook’s explanation for why there was an acute need to perform the heter mechira once again.]
On the heart of the matter (the halachic logic), I will tell you my humble opinion. This is indeed not the first ruling where a broad segment of society relies in its time of need on a minority of opinions or even a single opinion. Some examples are: new grain, abrasions in an animal’s lungs, and the ability to construct eruvin based on the assumption that there are not in our times public domains on the level of Torah law. Therefore, it is not farfetched in our days to rely on those who are lenient to say that it is permitted for a Jew to work the field that is owned by a non-Jew, that the sanctity of Shemitta is removed from the land, and that the selling for a limited time is valid in cases of need, as there are [established rulings] about renting out land.
The main thing that causes pain to our heart is that in certainty, the mitzva of Shemitta is being uprooted and not fulfilled. This is what happened [regarding the forgiveness of loans, which is one element of the laws of Shemitta] by means of the pruzbol (a document that enables creditors to demand payment for loans that normally would be cancelled by Shemitta). This halachic device did not create a new Torah-level law, and the [regrettable element of the need for its use] is that we do not want people to learn to obviate mitzvot (see Tosafot, Gittin 36a). So too here, what is upsetting is that we need to teach the nation to uproot the mitzva of Shemitta. After all, our ongoing obligation is to maintain that which is unique in our nation and teach our people to obligate themselves in mitzvot, including those for which one can find an exemption, like tzitzit and tithes, which are not required if one brought the produce into the house abnormally.
Therefore, I am ready to stand by your side and work together, including by going on long journeys, e.g., to Paris or similar places. Maybe Hashem will have mercy on us so that we may secure at least significant help for a large portion of our dear brothers, who desire with all their hearts and souls to fulfill the mitzva without any uprooting. If we will succeed in that which Hashem desires, this would greatly sanctify Hashem’s Name with His powerful help. This would strengthen the position of those who fear Hashem and obey His commands.
We just must do everything with peace, honor, and love, for His blessed name, for the Holy Land, and for those who inhabit it and work its land. It cannot be done with threats, strange warnings, screaming, and quarreling. Rather, we simply need to say that the heter mechira is necessary due to extremely great need, but that even under pressing circumstances, it obviates a mitzva. The dear and holy mitzva, which we merited to have the opportunity to fulfill in the Holy Land, with Hashem’s help, after a long and bitter exile, would be missing for us. Therefore, we want to help many people be obligated in it and fulfill it without any questions.
By taking the small initiative in this matter, we will be able to trust in Hashem, Who had His presence dwell on His holy mountain. May this awaken a lofty blessing, and cause the openings of redemption and salvation for the Holy Land and Hashem’s nation, who are waiting for His salvation. May the End of Days draw close and reveal the bearer of tidings of peace, as this upcoming Shemitta year concludes. "The time for His mercy has already come." I await your response at the earliest possible time.
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
P'ninat Mishpat A Commercial Rental for a Closed Business – part II
based on ruling 80047 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 Repercussions of a Sale That Turned Out Not Happening – part II
(based on ruling 83045 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Igrot Hare’aya Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part I
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Keeping Shemitta Partially – #272
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook; Date and Place: 2 Adar I 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Excerpts of Letter on Shemitta – #289 – part I
Date and Place: 6 Nisan 5670 (1910), Yafo
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.
