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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Igrot Hare’aya
Body : To avoid difficult leniencies that include work with the potential of Torah-level violation (done by Jews during Shemitta), we should create a fund to support [Jewish] agricultural workers, as they will have less work for their livelihood, since non-Jews will need to do some of it. The fund can also help poor farmers who generally do all of their own work and now will need to hire non-Jewish workers for actions that are forbidden by the Torah on Shemitta.
There are also, thank G-d, complete, G-d-fearing people who want to keep the mitzva as it was given and refrain from all work according to the laws of Shemitta. They deserve a special fund or to have a set part for them from within the general fund [that helps people observe Shemitta].
The above relates to this year, but we must also be concerned with the permanent status of Shemitta. If Hashem will have mercy on us and bring Mashiach quickly in our days, and we will not need these steps, we still will not have lost the reward for the mitzva of trying to uphold the sanctity of the Land, in case it will take longer [for Mashiach to come]. In order to be able to set the sanctity of the Land for generations, we must first establish a large institution that will suffice to support all of the owners of fields that grow grains and vegetables etc. that do not have an issue with maintaining commercial relationships. They will be able to cease work during Shemitta if they are supported during the year. The fund must be significant enough to also assist workers. Ideally, such an organization would initiate halachically non-problematic building and industry, who can employ these workers throughout the year of Shemitta.
When the organization will engage an abundance of diligent workers who are involved in this holy work with great vigor, then we can extend the idea so that even in vineyards and orchards, where there is no choice but to sell or rent to a non-Jew, because of the need to continuous commercial connections, it would still be possible to remove the land’s sanctity by renting to a non-Jew along with non-problematic things. Then, non-Jewish workers can work in the fields and Jewish laborers can work on building and in all elements of the economy with which the organization will be involved. This will make up for the lack of work during Shemitta.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
195 - Excerpts of Letter on Shemitta – #289 – part I
196 - Excerpts of Letter on Shemitta – #289 – part II
197 - Deflecting Criticism – #291
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Regarding commerce, this year, when we need to uproot the sanctity, using an element of "trickery," it is proper to also include non-problematic elements to "swallow up" the problematic ones. The contracts should say that the money is not for the fruit but for the work and equipment. When orchards will be rented out to non-Jews, it will be improper to be stringent regarding non-Jewishly owned fruit, as was decided in the times of the Beit Yosef.
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
Igrot Hare’aya Trying to Arrange Purchase of Land in Eretz Yisrael – part II
#229 Date and Place: 13 Tishrei 5670 (1909), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Connecting Disciplines in Torah Study
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook #103 – part II
P'ninat Mishpat Payment for Not Clearing Warehouse On Time – part II
based on ruling 75076 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
Igrot Hare’aya Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part I
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Maintaining a Friendship of the Spirit – #266 – part IV
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook; Date and Place: 11 Shevat 5670, Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Maintaining a Friendship of the Spirit – #266 – part III
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook; Date and Place: 11 Shevat 5670, Yafo
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.