YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Igrot Hare’aya
Body : We have to try our hardest so that eventually the "Shabbat of the Land" will appear in its fullest form. In addition to it being beloved like any other mitzva of the Torah, punishment for not keeping it is found explicitly in the Torah, from which we can extrapolate its reward – it determines exile vs. inhabiting the Land. The Torah says: "All the days [the Land] is desolate, it will rest corresponding to the time it did not rest when you were living on it" (Vayikra 26:35). The Rabbis wrote explicitly that exile comes to the world because of improper observance of Shemitta. However, it requires study to know how to reach the holy goal.
I believe that we need to reach our destination specifically by progressing gradually. This is in line with the way in which Israel’s salvation is to progress, step by step (Yerushalmi, Berachot 1:1).
The way we rule must be in line with how someone saves property from a fire. Whatever is most expensive and holiest has priority, and then we try to save more. The more beloved comes first, and that which is found in the Written Torah comes before that which is derived based on the Oral Law (see Sefer Chassidim 856, cited by Magen Avraham 334:15). Regarding the need to keep at least the Torah-level prohibitions, this is a major factor, considering that the punishment of exile is involved. It is worthwhile to point out the argument of the Sha’agat Aryeh (24). He proves that the mitzva to recite a beracha before learning Torah must be of Torah law from the fact that the gemara (Nedarim 81a) attributes the destruction of the Temple to the lack of fulfillment of that mitzva. In another words, if they had violated only a Rabbinic law, the stakes would not have been so high. Therefore, by keeping the Torah prohibitions, we are doing a big thing, as we are trying, through settling the Land, to take steps toward ingathering the exiles, and we would not want to be guilty of something whose punishment is exile. Therefore, we must be careful about the matter to our fullest ability.
Whatever is done by a non-Jew will not include a Torah-level prohibition, as is the cases regarding every prohibition of the Torah. Although the Torah writes in terms of the Land resting, the actual prohibition goes on the person who does the work, so that if a Jew has a non-Jew do the work, there is no Torah-level prohibition. This is especially so considering that according to most, Shemitta in our days is Rabbinic, and it is a stringency to try to treat it as if Shemitta is required by Torah law at this time. Furthermore, we also have the sale of the land to rely on, which is a valid leniency. Therefore, there are multiple levels of leniency to rely upon, at least regarding the most problematic actions.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
193 - Concern for Communal Kashrut Standards – #288, 290
194 - Excerpts of Letter on Shemitta – #289 – part I
195 - Excerpts of Letter on Shemitta – #289 – part II
Load More
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
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
P'ninat Mishpat Profits from Formerly Joint Swimming Pool – part
(based on ruling 81110 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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 Who Breached the Contract? – part IV
Based on ruling 81087 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Igrot Hare’aya Adding Elements to Strengthen the Heter Mechira – #313
Date and Place: 21 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Ties to Religiously Controversial Events/Organizations 1. #293
Date and Place: Iyar 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
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
