Texts of Jewish Thought

On the Slippery Slope

Bare Minimum= Bare Results (When Chumrot are Necessary!)

Rav Kook in general writes that Torat Eretz Yisrael stays away from unnecessary chumrot (strict opinions) because even the physical life in Israel is holy and positive. But this class deals with certain cases where one must be careful not just to do the minimum but should add and be that much more careful. The class also deals with the philosopher Prof. Yeshayahu Lebowitz including little-known testimonies regarding his Torah thought and observance, as well as the current controversy regarding drafting Haredim into the IDF.

Wealth: When is it a Worthwhile Assignment?

Much has been written about wealth, but Rav Kook here analyzes what our sages teach, when is it and when is it not worth it for G-d to bless one with wealth? He explains that by G-d the reward or punishment is a direct and logical outcome of our actions.

Between Amalek & Other Challenges- Eternal Foes or Occasional Bouts

Rav Kook writes about the necessity for various types of defense, differentiating between one-horned animals and the two-horned, as necessary for man and nations, as well. He uses the rare Tachash animal, uniquely used in the Mishkan, and not found in other generations, as a symbol of the antithesis of Amalek.

When Galut is Necessary & When Not?

Rav Kook differentiates between sins of manners, sins of the individual and those of an entire country or society. In the latter case, gentile nations leave the stage of history, but Israel (which cannot be wiped out) is sent to exile. The class deals with the severity of a country officially licensing or condoning sin (e.g. same-sex marriages) which is much more severe than what individuals may do as private citizens. Finally, the class deals with the question of how Israel, as a democracy, should address the issue.