YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Moreshet Shaul
Ostensibly, [assimilation] is not a concerning problem in Israel. After all, we are living among our nation, and the surrounding nations are hostile to us, so that there is no mix of populations. But in truth, even if not in literal practice, but potentially there is such a problem even here. We can prove this by the struggle over the change to the Law of Return that [conversion] needs to be according to Halacha. This is an alteration that should be self-evident, as conversion without halachic content of no value and meaningless.
That is not all, as we are witnesses to the result of [Jews’] weakened connection to the State and the Land while it lacks the light of the Torah and these values. The life here is in constant tension – there is an unstable financial situation. All of these things place before the young generation growing up in the Land and in our independent state the question of: what connects him to this land? Why should he put up with the burden of the state and its thicket of problems, when youth of his age in foreign countries live in a society of affluence, without such problems to trouble them.
There is also a troubling phenomenon, albeit in minor proportion, of intermarriage in the kibbutzim between Israelis and foreigners who come for recreation or for work. They are absorbed by the kibbutzim without issue, because [in their eyes] the difference between [the societies] is a very thin, almost imperceptible line. This leads to the problem with questionable conversions, or of leaving the Land permanently, dragged along with the foreign spouses.
We shall not ignore the happy phenomenon of those who return to Torah observance. However, the darkness is still greater than the exciting points of light.
The second issue, which is no less pressing at this time, is to rally the Diaspora Jewish communities, especially the young among them, and motivate them to make aliya to Israel in order to build and be built in it. It is critical to be able to hold on to the areas that are under Jewish control today, which is critical for our continued existence in the face of the constant threat from our enemies, as experts in security have testified. (This is in addition to the fact that the settling the Land is one of the central mitzvot of the Torah.) In order to fill the whole Land, there is a Jewish need for a large scale aliya and settlement movement. The weak level of aliya that exists today, which is also counteracted by the emigration of those who look for their satisfaction abroad, is not enough. The Jewish community in Israel, without help from a major flow of aliya, will find it difficult to accomplish what is necessary. The natural population increase is not keeping up with that of our neighbors. Also, the constant need to maintain large sections of the population in the army, to be prepared for any eventuality, steals the energies of our best young people and prevents them from giving their full attention to building and developing underdeveloped areas. In contrast, if the Jewish population in Israel increases, it will help deter our enemies from fighting us, improve security, and make possible an expansion of settlement throughout the land, and thereby silence critics.
The obligation of rabbis in the Diaspora, these days, is to convince the youth in their communities to visit Israel and study in its institutions, so they can taste its pleasantness and experience life in the Land. Undoubtedly, that this will create a bond of love with this Land, the estate of our patriarchs, whose charm will cover over the difficulties of getting used to the changes; eventually, they will feel themselves as full partners in ensuring its destiny.
Moreshet Shaul (44)
Various Rabbis
39 - MORESHET SHAUL: TWO ELEMENTS TO WORK ON – PART I
40 - MORESHET SHAUL: TWO ELEMENTS TO WORK ON – PART II
Load More
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Character Refinement – part IV
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p.154
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Fortunate is the King Who Is Thus Praised in His House
Based on Aroch Siach, Yamim Noraim p. 87
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Introduction to Midrash Rabba – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 121-124
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
