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Beit Midrash
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- Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions
Answer: The discussion breaks up into two parts. 1) Ma’asrot to which hafrasha ("taking off" – they are actually described as being set aside but only the trumot, not the ma’asrot are physically taken off) at processing centers, which is done on a mass scale. In that case, on the one hand, the mitzva is significant but on the other hand, it is daunting (one competes in the market with people who will not be taking off close to 20%). 2) Ma’asrot from produce that grew in one’s garden or was bought in a store that does not take off ma’asrot.
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions (654)
Rabbi Daniel Mann
619 - Ask the Rabbi: The Transition from Shabbat into Tisha B’av
620 - Ask the Rabbi: Giving Ma’asrot to the Intended Recipients
621 - Ask the Rabbi: How to Tell When Your Tefillin Need Adjustment
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There are obviously poor people who can prove their poverty, and so it is more difficult to not give to them. Presumably, kashrut organizations suffice with making the produce permitted to eat, and leave the decision of whether to give ma’aser ani (see below a way it can be done) to the farmer, who will also consider his ability to stay profitable.
2) Most produce in Israel undergoes the taking of trumot and ma’asrot at processing or distribution centers. Therefore, even if one buys at a supermarket without a hechsher, it is rarely more than a safek whether it needs further tithing. Under those circumstances, one does not have to give the ma’asrot he "took off" (see discussion in Mishpetei Eretz, Trumot U’maasrot 17:2).
In regard to that which grows locally or can be traced to a process that does not include hafrasha, the situation is as follows. Regarding ma’aser rishon, some still rely on the Chazon Ish and do not give. Presumably, it would be wonderful to have a levi to give the portion of the produce that correspond to the ma’aser, as a levi would likely be pleased to give expression to his levi status; he could then either keep the produce or gift it back.
Regarding ma’aser ani, it is usually not very useful and actually insulting to be designated a recipient of ma’aser ani and receive minimal benefit from it. A halachically practical system is to lend money to a poor person of an amount that corresponds to the expected value of all the ma’aser ani of that period. The loan works with the condition that it will be paid back only with the ani’s nominal (non-physical) acceptance (as ma’aser ani) and return (as loan payment) of the produce to the giver (Mishpetei Eretz ibid. 9). Because arranging all of this is not so simple, fine organizations (that deal with land-based mitzvot) arrange everything and have people sign up and pay a set fee, which includes the money for the loan that halachically facilitates the ma’aser giving. The same can be done regarding giving to levi’im. It can also work for farmers, who would have to give a lot more than a non-producer, but for whom there is also a mechanism that makes it much cheaper than 10% of the market value of his produce (details are beyond our present scope).
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
