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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Igrot Hare’aya
Body : I just received my good friend’s letter. I am very surprised that you assume my words have false intentions. Why would anyone think I would force those who do not agree with the lenient [Shemitta] ruling to eat what is forbidden according to their opinion? My intention is only to stand in the breach against those who cast aspersions on those who come to settle Eretz Yisrael and have no choice but to rely on the well-known leniency, which has a basis in the Talmud and poskim. These aspersions damage the Yishuv spiritually and physically.
The physical damage is that it is impossible for everyone to keep the laws of Shemitta without uprooting it [through sale]. If they will not export the produce, e.g., wine, oranges, almonds, the land will be truly desolate. This will ruin the New Yishuv and, with it, certainly the Old Yishuv, as one who looks with open eyes sees that the two are intertwined.
The spiritual danger is that if a prohibition would be publicized, it would, for completely religious Jews, close the door to coming to Eretz Yisrael to build it through planting, sowing, and agricultural commerce. Then only those who throw religion out behind them will come [for these purposes], thereby causing an immeasurable drop in Judaism in Eretz Yisrael. Now, although irreligious Jews also come, every moshava has Jews who are connected to Torah and fear of Hashem. They hold important positions in their communities and strengthen religious institutions, e.g., kashrut. I have received letters, as expected, saying that no rich person, even if G-d-fearing, will invest in Eretz Yisrael at this time, when we do not see miracles, if Shemitta will uproot the foundations of his finances.
[The second spiritual damage (which we have seen before) is that if the rabbis are stringent and religious people feel compelled to ignore them, it pushes them toward generally not listening to rabbis.] Therefore, anyone who can predict the future and wants to serve Hashem not with pipe dreams but with clear, calculated logic (as proper for one whom Hashem gave mental capacity), will conclude that we must be careful to not lose the leniency of selling the land. This has been practiced for three Shemitta years, and the leading rabbis of the time in Eretz Yisrael did not protest it in practice. It has justifications in Halacha, as everyone with straight intellect will admit. Why should you be surprised that I come out against anyone who calls many of our fellow Jewish brethren evil people and thereby cause spiritual and physical destruction to the Land of our Fathers? On the other hand, who would fight against individuals who want to be stringent on themselves (certainly, it is not my intention)!?
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
209 - Public Response to Zealous Defense of Rav Kook – #308
210 - Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part I
211 - Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part II
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It is not at all the Torah’s way to enhance observance based on fear of punishment. We must determine from Torah sources if there is room for leniency in a case of need. If leniency is correct, we should not connect punishments to the leniency, as His Torah is not a fake. We should inspect different actions and attributes that are prone to mistakes, as the great righteous people have done over the generations.
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)
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Multiple Agreements and Parties – part IV
based on final ruling of 80082 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 Connecting Disciplines in Torah Study
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook #103 – part II
Igrot Hare’aya Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part IV
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Concern for Communal Kashrut Standards – #288, 290
Date and Place: 4 Nisan 5670 (1910), 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
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
Lessons
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The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
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.
