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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
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One of the greatest poskim of the last 200 years taught us about agricultural work’s value in Eretz Yisrael. Rabbi Yishmael and Rabbi Shimon (Berachot 35b) argued on reconciling two apparently contradictory p’sukim. We are told "You shall harvest your grain, wine, and oil" (Devarim 11:14). Yet, it says "The Torah scroll shall not move from your mouth, and you shall contemplate it day and night" (Yehoshua 1:8), which sounds like there is no time for agriculture. Rabbi Yishmael says one should work the land "like the way of the land" and learn Torah in the remaining time. Rabbi Shimon says learning should be constant, and if we are on the proper spiritual level, others will handle our physical needs. Thus, the pasuk discussing harvesting refers to those insufficiently serving Hashem.
Questions asked on Rabbi Shimon include: 1) How does one give precedence to the pasuk in Yehoshua over that in the Torah? 2) How can the pasuk in Devarim, following "If you listen to My commandments…" (11:13), refer to one not acting properly?
The Chatam Sofer (Sukka 36a) posits that Rabbi Yishmael’s approach applies only in Eretz Yisrael, where working the land is itself a mitzva of developing the Land and extracting its holy produce. There, "you shall harvest …" is a mitzva, and the holy Boaz (David’s great grandfather) processed his grain (Ruth 3:2). The Chatam Sofer argues in Rabbi Yishmael’s name: Would you tell someone not to put on tefillin because he is too busy learning Torah?! Finally, he says this mitzva may apply to any work advancing society. Practically, developing Eretz Yisrael is a constant mitzva, as even the mundane is holy here.
The Chatam Sofer thus didn’t imagine that Am Yisrael would return to the Land with very committed Jews forming a segment divorcing itself from physically developing the Land, saying "I will not harvest my grain because of Torah study." Can one rely on miracles, or on the State (itself a miracle), putting the burden on others? We have no precedent of a whole segment of society claiming exemption from building community and supporting families (as husbands obligate themselves in their ketubot).
Torah study is a crucial pillar of Jewish society. Along with modest work should come "make your Torah set" (Avot1:15). There should be shiurim in workplaces during breaks. Even in the Diaspora, Jewish communities made Torah study central, and Israel should encourage it. However, only an elite cadre should set aside many years for full-time Torah learning, afterward going on to important rabbinic positions.
Rabbis in Midrash
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The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.
