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- Igrot Hare’aya
Body: I received today your open letter, and I am very sorry about your dear soul’s pain, for thinking I would harbor resentment towards you, Heaven forbid. I know that all your actions, distinguished Torah scholar, are for Heaven’s sake. So, how can I resent you, even if you did something against me. Especially, we should consider that the matter relates to strengthening the Rabbinical Court of Yerushalayim, which is very important. If I could, I would be one of the first to protest against those who stood up to denigrate the members of the court. What is the connection between differences of opinion on Halacha and denigration? It causes me great pain that the matter left its proper arena.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
227 - Excitement over a Friend’s New Newspaper – #319
228 - Informing a Friend he Is Not Insulted – #320
229 - Language of Instruction for Rav Kook’s Yeshiva – #325
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Generally, I ask my respected dear friend not to cause himself any emotional pain and certainly no damage, by publicizing our emotional bond and trustworthy love, when I, unfortunately have many opponents. "Your love is better than wine" (Shir Hashirim 1:2) – but speech is bad for wine (Kritot 6a). May the Rock of Israel speedily reveal the light of His redemption and joy of His sanctity. May we all be comforted with Yerushalayim, as Hashem speaks in peace to His nation and His pious people.
Discussing Hebrew Word with Ben Yehuda – #324
Date and Place: 16 Menachem Av 5670 (1910), Rechovot
Recipient and Background: Eliezer Ben Yehuda, the famous philologist, generally considered the father of Modern Hebrew. As Ben Yehuda tried to base Modern Hebrew on biblical and rabbinic Hebrew over Jewish history, Rav Kook was one of the scholars from whom he sought insight.
Summary: Ben Yehuda asked Rav Kook for the source of "hechsher" meaning rabbinic certification of kashrut. (In Talmudic contexts, it refers to a liquid preparing food to become impure or generally facilitating halachically significant matters).
"Ktav hechsher" is used for certification in the Chayei Adam (127:3) and Shaarei Teshuva. "Ktav" alone is found in the Responsa of Mahari Anzel, Torat Chesed (Lublin), Pri Etz Hadar, and Rav Shlomo Kluger and rabbis of his generation. It is also found regarding the suitability of etrogim. (Rav Kook could not guarantee where exactly in each work it was found, as he did not have access to all of the works.) It is also found regarding ribbit (usury) in many Sephardic works, including the Mabit, Knesset Hagedola, Birkei Yosef, and Maharashdam.
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

Igrot Hare’aya Trying to Arrange Purchase of Land in Eretz Yisrael – part II
#229 Date and Place: 13 Tishrei 5670 (1909), Yafo

P'ninat Mishpat Payments after a Gradual End of Employment
(Based on ruling 82024 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts

Igrot Hare’aya Possibilities of Creating Religious Moshavot – #284 – part I
Date and Place: 1 Adar II, 5670 (1910), Yafo

Igrot Hare’aya Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part I
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo

Igrot Hare’aya Language of Instruction for Rav Kook’s Yeshiva – #325
Date and Place: 4 Elul 5670 (1910), Yafo

Igrot Hare’aya Alternatives to Gymnasium and Grafted Etrogim – #286
Date and Place: 18 Adar II, 5670 (1910), Yafo

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)
Lessons
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.

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.







