Beit Midrash

How Free is Free-Will

Ayn Aya Masechet Shabbat v, 38

Rav Kook describes the strenth of free will and why death was decreed after the sin in Gan Eden.

Sometimes We Have No One to Blame But Ourselves & Our Imagination!

Rav Kook explains how fear and one's imagination often cause more damage than the problem itself. In fact, most of our problems we cause to ourselves, and if we made decisions based upon Godly logic and ideals, it would not only grant us a feeling of security, but in fact we would save ourselves from most problems, and surely the inflated or exaggerated ones.

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)

Seemingly 'Strange' Rabbinical Decrees- Not What You Thought!

Rav Kook suggests a very innovative and important "eye-opening" way to understand some of the rabbinical decrees which are particularly difficult to understand!

Temurah‏

A Woman's Obligation to Pray

According to most authorities, women are no less obligated to pray than men. Therefore, they must pray “Amida” in the morning and the afternoon (“Shacharit” and “Mincha”). The evening Amida prayer (“Maariv”), on the other hand, is voluntary.

Shmittat Kesafim

Debt Cancellation in the Shmitta Year: A Question of Terminology; The Mechanism of Prozbul; How Is It Possible?; A Proposal; Compelling the Debtor to Pay

Geneivas Da’as

The Principles of Hagala

Chapter Ten-Part Three

Chapter Ten-Part Three

Four Biblical Halachot

Chapter Twenty-Part Two

Chapter Twenty-Part Two

Who Can Be Counted in a Minyan?

Chapter Two-part three

Can every ten men be a Minyan or are there other conditions?

Chanukah – An Illuminating Faith

The Chanukah candles teach us that Jewish faith does not lose its strength. To the contrary, despite the hardships and darkness, faith persists, and even blossoms. The refined spirituality that is revealed through the Torah is eternal, and it grows.