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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Igrot Hare’aya
Body : … The Rambam does not rule [according to his philosophical explanation in Moreh Nevuchim] as practical halacha. There are other instances in which the reason he gives for a mitzva does not fit the corresponding halacha (e.g., regarding "an eye for an eye," and one who says "His mercy extends to a bird’s nest"). The Rambam posits that in philosophical matters, there is no concept of a formal ruling to follow one opinion; therefore, anyone can take a side in the matter. In contrast, there is a prohibition against straying from the accepted Halacha, [so one must conform to what has been accepted]. This is also the opinion of Chovot Halevavot in his introduction, that the prohibition against arguing on official Rabbinical rulings is only on practical matters, such as blood and blood, law and law (see Devarim 17:8). This follows the Talmud Bavli (Sanhedrin 88), which explains that Torah portion regarding practical matters. The Yerushalmi (Sanhedrin 10:3) relates "a matter" to aggadic matters, i.e., philosophy, so that the prohibition of rejecting Rabbinical rulings also applies to them.
This is the basis for the disagreement among Gaonic scholars, Rav Shrira and Rav Hai, on one side, Rav Shmuel ben Chofni and Rav Sa’adia on the other. Both sides posit words of the living G-d, and disagree along the lines of the Talmud of the West and of the East. The Rambam is like Rav Sa’adia. It is logical that although one cannot argue on a practical matter against a Talmudic conclusion, one may decide on a matter of contemplation according to an opinion that makes more sense to him, if that opinion is based on Torah rules and a Rabbinic opinion, as he explained regarding the reasoning behind mitzvot in general.
Restoration of Sanhedrin – #303
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
203 - Advice on Studying Spirituality – #301
204 - “Rulings” on Philosophical Matters? – #302
205 - Shemitta Work at Israel National Fund Land – #
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Recipient and Background : Rav Aharon Mendel Cohen (Baharan), who left Eretz Yisrael to become chief rabbi of the Ashkenazim of Cairo. One of his books urges the restoration of the Sanhedrin.
Body : In response to your letter, I must tell you that I do not believe the time is right to make a gathering for the sole purpose of restoring authentic rabbinical ordination. People will not be responsive to this, and critics from various camps will circle in on us, and they might be correct. This generation is tremendously small, intellectually, and lowly in comparison to previous generations, with but a few exceptions. Nothing will awaken more shock and ridicule than to try to initiate something that was done and then rejected (in the 16 th Century), which is much worse than something that never came to fruition.
We should just assemble a large rabbinic convention in the Holy Land, specifically in Yerushalayim, and give it the status of a "congress." In other words, it should come faithfully every 1-3 years. It will focus on all matters of the nation that can be discussed by holy men, who truly love Hashem and His nation. If such a gathering will decide to look toward the ultimate salvation by beginning preparations for removing the impediments to semicha and develop the matter with special writings on the matter, it is possible that along with other things they will accomplish, this would be a major one. In any case, it will not be the first or last matter at the gathering.
If you accept my suggestion, [we should use] your experience with such events, such as your convention in Cracow (1903), which became well known at the time and could have had greater results had it not been interrupted. I will lend my small hand for whatever you want me to do, if it is likely to be spiritually rewarding.
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 Payment for Not Clearing Warehouse On Time – part II
based on ruling 75076 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Igrot Hare’aya Concern for Communal Kashrut Standards – #288, 290
Date and Place: 4 Nisan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part II
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Possibilities of Creating Religious Moshavot – #284 – part II
Date and Place: 1 Adar II, 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya The Need for a Broader Education – #274
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook Date and Place: 8 Adar I 5670, Yafo
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Rabbis in Midrash
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
