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The Jewish People know that Eretz Yisrael is the ideal place to draw close to Hashem, but this was close to impossible for 2,000 years. 250 years ago, the Vilna Gaon exhorted his disciples to build Eretz Yisrael, physically and spiritually, and hinted about a historical window for this, which would close in Elul 1939. Hundreds, including R. Menachem and R. Yisrael of Shklov, heeded the call; most of our nation did not.
Around 150 years ago, Herzl started expounding the idea of political Zionism. Few followed the practical plan he set forth at the first Zionist Congress. In the religious camp, most saw him as delusionary and his ideas as weakening the Jewish future. On the other hand, the true visionary and independent-thinking giant of Torah, Rav A.Y. Kook zt"l, emerged, after moving to Eretz Yisrael, as a supporter of political Zionism.
There are mainly three religious grounds to reject Zionism: 1. Herzl and other secular Zionists act as a Satan. 2. The Talmud (Ketubot 111a) forbids organized Jewish mass-settlement in Eretz Yisrael, which should occur through miraculous divine steps. 3. Cooperative work with secularists is spiritually dangerous and contradicts closeness with Hashem.
The first two grounds, which we link to Satmar Hasidut, have been disproven by the blessing in the spiritual as well as physical success of the State of Israel. We have seen that the path toward the divinely ordained liberation employs a "reawakening from below." The halachic claims against mass settlement are rejected by almost all halachic authorities after the foreign mandatory authorities left the Land (see Rav Zevin’s L’or Hahalcha Hamilchama I:7). However, such greats as the Chofetz Chaim and the Chazon Ish opposed Zionism based on the grounds of partnership with irreligious groups, and this has been the accepted Charedi approach for many years. The Chazon Ish led this community in the efforts to build the "world of Torah" in Eretz Yisrael, rather than the physical/political infrastructure, including service in the IDF.
However, in the past few decades there has rarely been an Israeli government without significant Charedi participation, and Charedi communities have taken major parts in building the Land. The disconnect continues primarily in regard to army service. The main complaint is about the religious difficulty of serving and the long-term impact on religious life.
However, these objections are overpowered by three points: 1. All are required to take part in a defensive war. 2. The Chashmonaim Brigade now gives a perfect response to the religious needs of Charedi soldiers. 3. The requirement to join in defense of the Jewish community is a mitzva between man and man, in a way that one cannot get close to Hashem without it. We hope that the Charedi young men will learn from the example of Rav Kook’s spiritual descendants and sanctify Hashem’s Name by distinguished service in the army.
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)
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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)
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: 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)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
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
