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Beit Midrash
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- Igrot Hare’aya
Body : [Last time we started Rav Kook’s explanation of the damage of those who did more during Shemitta than the heter mechira permitted and compromised the heter mechira’s viability.]
Dear brothers, I call out to you from my heart’s emotions – have mercy on your lives and the holy Yishuv’s life, survival and honor! Do not go beyond the limits of the leniency, which was founded as an exceptional step to improve the Yishuv when the rabbinic leaders see that it is necessary to employ it, according to its parameters and special methods. In our situation, it is the "straight path" that is a matter of pride for those who do it and before people.
Beware not to do any agricultural act that is normally forbidden by Torah law during Shemitta, e.g., new planting, replanting shoots, and grafting. All of these require one to ask an expert rabbi, who will consider the level of loss and extenuating circumstances. All the more so, regarding land not included in the sale, one must not be lenient without an explicit ruling, especially in cities and suburbs, which are not dependent on agriculture, whose questions concern patches of land around homes for beautification. The sanctity of Shemitta applies there without any leniency, and permissibility is possible only according to straightforward halacha following rabbis’ rulings. This should make the Shabbat of the Land recognizable on the holy soil, which gives comfort to the heart of those who love Hashem and revere His Name and will give one grace in the eyes of Hashem and mankind.
It should not even occur to you, dear brothers, that if Jews do not perform Torah-level prohibitions that the Yishuv will be damaged because of the impact on Jewish agricultural workers (who are not landowners). Actually, there are few agricultural actions that are forbidden by Torah law, and for most of them, there are ways that are not too difficult to turn something with a potential Torah prohibition into something forbidden only Rabbinically.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
189 - A Public Letter on Observance of Shemitta – #287 – part I
190 - Public Letter on Observance of Shemitta – #287 – part II
191 - Concern for Communal Kashrut Standards – #288, 290
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I am confident, dear brothers, in your holy souls, the straightness of your hearts, and your concern for our holy Land and proud Yishuv, which is our great desire. Therefore, I am sure you will accept my words with positive understanding and respect and safeguard them.
May Hashem bless us and give us success in the Desired Land, so that we will soon see our nation’s redemption in the Land of our Temple. May we see the return of Israel to its place to live in tranquility and happiness. May we fulfill all of Hashem’s commandments, especially those connected to the Holy Land’s soil, when Hashem returns the exiles quickly in our days.
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
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)
Igrot Hare’aya Raffle of Property in Eretz Yisrael for Tzedaka
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: – #220
Igrot Hare’aya Trying to Arrange Purchase of Land in Eretz Yisrael
#222 Date and Place: 2 Elul 5669 (1909), Rechovot
P'ninat Mishpat Limits of Interest Rate for Loan with Heter Iska – part II
based on ruling 80033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Igrot Hare’aya Excitement over a Friend’s New Newspaper – #319
Date and Place: 4 Menachem Av 5670 (1910), Rechovot
Igrot Hare’aya Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part IV
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Informing a Friend he Is Not Insulted – #320
Date and Place: 5 Menachem Av 5670 (1910), Rechovot (probably)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.