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Beit Midrash
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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 Profits from Formerly Joint Swimming Pool – part
(based on ruling 81110 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Igrot Hare’aya Semi-solicited Advice to Calm Down Petach Tikva
#227 Date and Place: 8 Tishrei 5669, Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Trying to Arrange Purchase of Land in Eretz Yisrael
#222 Date and Place: 2 Elul 5669 (1909), Rechovot
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 Maintaining a Friendship of the Spirit – #266 – part I
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: Date and Place: 11 Shevat 5670, Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Language of Instruction for Rav Kook’s Yeshiva – #325
Date and Place: 4 Elul 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Shemitta Work at Israel National Fund Land – #
Date and Place: 3 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Excitement over a Friend’s New Newspaper – #319
Date and Place: 4 Menachem Av 5670 (1910), Rechovot
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Returning Torah to its Central Standing – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 312
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.