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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Igrot Hare’aya
Body : I must inform you, esteemed scholar, what I was planning to do from the outset regarding the general sale of the land of the Jewish community of Eretz Yisrael to undo the obligations of Shemitta. I decided to do it in a way that fulfills the maximum number of opinions. Therefore, I came up with seals, that have engraved upon them that the price [of the produce] during Shemitta shall be just for the equipment used and for the toil (not for the produce’s value). This removes from the money paid the sanctity of Shemitta and makes the commerce done with them, as one in which the value of Shemitta produce is swallowed up.
I informed all who discussed these matters with me that I wanted to prepare forms of hefker (revoking ownership), so that each [farmer] should relinquish ownership of any produce in his field that might have Shemitta status and transfer its control to a rabbinical court. Then, the court would formally appoint the farmers to represent them in doing whatever is necessary to sell the produce in a permitted manner, i.e., by receiving the value of the equipment and their toil.
It is just that from the outset I agreed that since the sale of the land has a halachic basis, to the extent that in other Shemitta years people relied upon the sale without other factors, we do not have to be exacting regarding the price the farmers take for the equipment and toil, since it is explicitly stated that the money is not for the produce. We should not pressure the people of the agricultural settlements [in manners that were not done during previous Shemitta years], as they already have the pressure of difficult financial standing – may Hashem elevate their prospects.
However, due to the tumult raised by criticism [of the sale], some of my ideas may now be more difficult to carry out. Still, it is my hope that a lot will be improved by means of this halachically preferable system, even though it is a new idea that was not employed in the past. If we speak to [the farmers] peacefully, they will do whatever we ask of them, as long as they will not be damaged in terms of finance or respect on this matter that is at the heart of their basic sustenance. [It is different when people] cast aspersions on the polished and accepted leniency, which is broadly destructive to all of them, and [tries to] takes away their basic ability to live. It is not surprising that they are compelled to stand up for their lives, the lives of their household (as their children ask for bread) and for the life of the Yishuv. [We] hope for a future in which the Yishuv will expand until Hashem will bring the light of a full salvation on His Name and lot, may it come speedily.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
217 - Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part IV
218 - Adding Elements to Strengthen the Heter Mechira – #313
219 - Reassuring His Parents – #314 – part I
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I hope that the illustrious rav, in his piety and pure heart, will express his opinion for the sake of peace and the welfare of the Jewish community. May his words be accepted willfully by all those who fear Hashem and care about His Name and thereby stop the fighting, so peace can dwell among the Holy Land’s scholars.
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
Igrot Hare’aya Connecting Disciplines in Torah Study
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook 103 – part III
Igrot Hare’aya Trying to Arrange Purchase of Land in Eretz Yisrael
#222 Date and Place: 2 Elul 5669 (1909), Rechovot
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 Informing a Friend he Is Not Insulted – #320
Date and Place: 5 Menachem Av 5670 (1910), Rechovot (probably)
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
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