Beit Midrash

The Intension of Israel & that of the Gentiles

Ein Ayah 3

Ein Ayah 3

"Don't Try this at Home!

Questioning G-d by the Great & by the Masses

Rav Kook innovatively explains some difficulties in two Talmudic stories via relating to the issue of questioning G-d, and the difference between the great Torah scholars and the masses. This issue comes up often in the context of the Shoah and offers much food for thought.

Positive Chutzpah= Part of Redemption- Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself!

Rav Kook ingeniously explains why the Mishna in Sotah, already 1,800 years ago, teaches that "Chutzpah" is an essential part of the Ge'ula process, and in fact today we see the necessity and positive aspect of "Israeli Chutzpah". Similarly, Rav Kook elaborates in his classic article on "Fear", how Galut (exile) refined but softened us a little too much, and how exaggerated fear and phobia is one of the worst things in life, preventing people from thinking, activism, modernism and more.

The Road to Heaven is Paved with Good Intentions

Our sages say that God "counts" good intentions, but doesn't "count" bad intentions. On the other hand, the Talmud Yerushalmi adds that this is only for Jews, not gentiles, where the opposite is true. And the obvious question is: why? If intentions are serious, they should always "count", and if not, they should never be considered! Rav Kook explains that Teshuva is the easiest of all mitzvot, where even a thought is enough to erase decades of mistakes! On the other hand, it's also difficult, and we must analyze the differences.(Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 32)

A Disappointing Partnership – part I

P'ninat Mishpat: Sharing in Plumbing Expenses – part I

based on ruling 85013 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts

based on ruling 85013 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts

Backing Out of a Rental After Checks Were Given

The plaintiff (=pl) rented an apartment to the defendant (=def). When the contract was signed, def gave pl checks for the entire rental period. However, before handing over the contract, pl demanded a security deposit and refused to hand over keys to the apartment, prompting def to back out of the whole agreement. Pl demands that the agreement should stand.

P'ninat Mishpat: Multiple Agreements and Parties – part IV

based on final ruling of 80082 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts

based on final ruling of 80082 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts

Ascetics and Aesthetics

The Torah is for all

It does recognize that there are different personality needs and differing societal mores. But the Torah was always the same Torah for all Jews. What was expressly forbidden in the Torah was forbidden to all and what was permitted was also permitted to all.

Treatment of animals

What is the moral justification to slaughter animals and eat their flesh? Should we educate for vegetarianism? Why is there a Mitzvah to eat meat on Shabbat? Rabbi Eliezer Melamed teaches us the Jewish perspective on correct animal treatment.

Ask the rabbi: what are the jewish implications of a total solar eclipse?