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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Chukat
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
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
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.
