Lessons on The Torah vs. Public Issues

articles on The Torah vs. Public Issues

Why Civilisations Fail
What is the real challenge of maintaining a free society?
Municipal elections in Israel
This lesson comes from the past but the message to the elected members today is more recent than ever!
Elected by Accident
A cleaning lady unintentionally became the mayor of a town. Is she allowed to back out, after having been elected?
When to Obey the Law?
The Laws of "Dina Demalchuta- Dina". Is it obligatory to obey civil law?

How Should Natural Gas Profits be Divided? The Torah View

The principle set by the Torah: A person is entitled to enjoy the fruits of his own hard work, but natural resources and means of production should be shared equally.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Tamuz 15 5775

Confusing Roles

Rabbi Berel Wein zt"l | 5774

Prevailing Versus Winning

Rabbi Berel Wein zt"l | 5770

Who is Entitled to be Called "Rav"?

A necessary requirement of every person who receives rabbinic ordination is to faithfully and selflessly continue the traditions that Moshe Rabbeinu started when he laid his hands upon his pupil Yehoshua Bin Nun.

Rabbi Yaakov Ariel | Sivan, 5762

Adding, Uprooting, and Rabbinical Authority

What gives the Rabbis the right to add laws to those which the Torah commanded us? From where do they derive the authority to enact preventative safeguards that result in the uprooting of Torah law?

Rabbi Baruch Paz | Nisan 5762

Torah and Politics - "The King's Second Torah Scroll"

When Rabbi Tzvi Yehudah Kook, zt"l, was asked his opinion regarding the involvement of rabbis in politics, he answered as follows: "Rabbis are obligated by the Torah to involve themselves in politics..."

Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed | 5753

6 Lessons on The Torah vs. Public Issues

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Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
Rabbi Uri Sharki
Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu
Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu Zt"l
Rabbi Yehuda Melamed
Rabbi Mordechai Sternberg zt"l
Rabbi Chaim Yerucham Smotrich
Rabbi Hillel Geffen
Rabbi Zalman Nehemiah Goldberg
Rabbi Simcha Kook ZT"L

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!

Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 5786

38 min

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.

Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 5786

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.

Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 5786

38 min

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.

Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 5786

Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions

ASK THE RABBI: TEACHING HAGBAHA TO A SON

Rabbi Daniel Mann | Sivan 5786

Parashat Hashavua

PARASHAT HASHAVUA: “A NATION SHALL RISE LIKE A LION”

Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Sivan 5786

P'ninat Mishpat

P'NINAT MISHPAT: A MESS OF LOANS, REPAYMENTS AND GRIEVANCES – PART IV

Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit | Sivan 5786

Moreshet Shaul

MORESHET SHAUL: THE STUDY OF CHUMASH

Various Rabbis | Sivan 5786

40 min

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.

Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 5786

42 min

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.

Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 5786

Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions

ASK THE RABBI: RETURNING UNCLAIMED ITEMS

Rabbi Daniel Mann | Sivan 5786

Parashat Hashavua

PARASHAT HASHAVUA: THOSE WHO GO OUT TO THE ARMY

Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Sivan 5786

P'ninat Mishpat

P'NINAT MISHPAT: A MESS OF LOANS, REPAYMENTS AND GRIEVANCES – PART III

Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit | Sivan 5786

Moreshet Shaul

MORESHET SHAUL: OVERVIEW OF THE RAMBAM’S APPROACH

Various Rabbis | Sivan 5786

42 min

Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat

Kuzari class 2

The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.

Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 5786

Shavuot

"Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot

People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.

Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 5786

40 min

Ein Aya

The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention

Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.

Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 5786

Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions

ASK THE RABBI: DIFFERENT STANDARDS OF SHABBAT CLOTHES CLEANLINESS

Rabbi Daniel Mann | Sivan 5786

Parashat Hashavua

articles on The Torah vs. Public Issues

Why Civilisations Fail

What is the real challenge of maintaining a free society?

Municipal elections in Israel

This lesson comes from the past but the message to the elected members today is more recent than ever!

Elected by Accident

A cleaning lady unintentionally became the mayor of a town. Is she allowed to back out, after having been elected?

When to Obey the Law?

The Laws of "Dina Demalchuta- Dina". Is it obligatory to obey civil law?

How Should Natural Gas Profits be Divided? The Torah View

The principle set by the Torah: A person is entitled to enjoy the fruits of his own hard work, but natural resources and means of production should be shared equally.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Tamuz 15 5775

Confusing Roles

Rabbi Berel Wein zt"l | 5774

Prevailing Versus Winning

Rabbi Berel Wein zt"l | 5770

Who is Entitled to be Called "Rav"?

A necessary requirement of every person who receives rabbinic ordination is to faithfully and selflessly continue the traditions that Moshe Rabbeinu started when he laid his hands upon his pupil Yehoshua Bin Nun.

Rabbi Yaakov Ariel | Sivan, 5762

Adding, Uprooting, and Rabbinical Authority

What gives the Rabbis the right to add laws to those which the Torah commanded us? From where do they derive the authority to enact preventative safeguards that result in the uprooting of Torah law?

Rabbi Baruch Paz | Nisan 5762

Torah and Politics - "The King's Second Torah Scroll"

When Rabbi Tzvi Yehudah Kook, zt"l, was asked his opinion regarding the involvement of rabbis in politics, he answered as follows: "Rabbis are obligated by the Torah to involve themselves in politics..."

Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed | 5753

"Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach

Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 5786

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.

Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 5786

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.

Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 5786

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.

Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 5786

ASK THE RABBI: TEACHING HAGBAHA TO A SON

Rabbi Daniel Mann | Sivan 5786

PARASHAT HASHAVUA: “A NATION SHALL RISE LIKE A LION”

Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Sivan 5786

P'NINAT MISHPAT: A MESS OF LOANS, REPAYMENTS AND GRIEVANCES – PART IV

Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit | Sivan 5786

MORESHET SHAUL: THE STUDY OF CHUMASH

Various Rabbis | Sivan 5786

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.

Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 5786

"Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"

Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 5786

ASK THE RABBI: RETURNING UNCLAIMED ITEMS

Rabbi Daniel Mann | Sivan 5786

PARASHAT HASHAVUA: THOSE WHO GO OUT TO THE ARMY

Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Sivan 5786

P'NINAT MISHPAT: A MESS OF LOANS, REPAYMENTS AND GRIEVANCES – PART III

Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit | Sivan 5786

MORESHET SHAUL: OVERVIEW OF THE RAMBAM’S APPROACH

Various Rabbis | Sivan 5786

Kuzari class 2

The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.

Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 5786

"Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot

People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.

Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 5786

The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention

Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 5786

ASK THE RABBI: DIFFERENT STANDARDS OF SHABBAT CLOTHES CLEANLINESS

Rabbi Daniel Mann | Sivan 5786

PARASHAT HASHAVUA: ON NAZIR, SOTA, AND TRUE UNION

Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Sivan 5786

P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II

based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts

based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts

Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit | Iyar 5786