The Half-Shekel – Then and Today

Can We Have Both Truth and Peace?

P'ninat Mishpat: Agricultural Water Rights – part I

based on ruling 84122 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts

based on ruling 84122 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts

Moreshet Shaul: Returning Torah to its Central Standing – part I

Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 312

Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 312

Ask the Rabbi: Witness Complication at a Wedding

Parashat Hashavua: Rachel, Leah, and King David – What Happened? – part IV

"Beyond Either-Or"

Rav Kook's Uniting the Opposites, Sinai & the Tefilin's Shi"n

Many have summarized Rav Kook's ideology as "Uniting the Opposites", and this classic class elaborates on the idea via the Shi"n on the Head-Tefilin and the concept of "Laws given orally to Moshe at Sinai". A very basic class in Rav Kook's thought.

WHAT CONVINCED YITRO MAY SWAY THE ANTI-ISRAEL TOO

We find that Yitro was convinced to follow the G-d of Israel for "Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the deities, for (precisely) with the thing that they plotted, [G-d brought] upon them(selves) (18, 11)." Rashi explains that the Egyptians drowned the boys of Israel, so in the end, G-d drowned their men as well. Why was this "Midah k'negged mida" (literally: "a measure for a measure)- so convincing for Yitro, even convincing him to actually change his life & join Israel? Similarly, this can help us understand why this theme of "V'Nahafoch hu…" (literally: "it was reversed", that the Megila flips everything Haman planned to do Israel, 180 degrees and brings upon Haman himself is so central also to Megilat Esther & the forthcoming holiday of Purim? We are not just speaking of irony, but of justice.

The Moral Benefits of Agriculture- Tu B'Shvat

The tanna R. Elazar writes that in the ideal world, all of us will participate in some form of agriculture, and that "a man without land is not a man". Aside from the mitzva of settling the Land of Israel, an overview of many quotes from R. Elazar will innovatively (but obviously) explain the many moral benefits (even in America!) of doing some gardening and having a deeper understanding of Tu B'Shvat.

Orchot Tzaddikim- class 78, Teshuva part ix

The class deals with especially interesting aspects of Teshuva (we're skipping and just doing the most interesting parts of the remainder of this chapter), including how G-d really helps us in this effort, and as opposed to man, He will accept us even if we have ulterior motives!

Honor Your Parents – and Yourselves!

Ten Commandment Comparison

Many have attempted to solve the question, what is THE difference which can find the common denominator between all 31 differences between the 2 versions of the Ten Commandment? This innovative article suggests that our sages already answered this with one sentence in a well-known Midrash, just most never noticed that seemingly innocent sentence. It deals with the basic difference between the masculine side of the Torah and the feminine.

P'ninat Mishpat: A Contractor’s Leaving the Job in the Middle – part III

based on ruling 84013 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts

based on ruling 84013 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts

Moreshet Shaul: Eretz Yisrael in Halacha and in Sanctity – part II

Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 137

Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 137

“Honor Requires an Audience”+ Tu B'Shvat

Rav Kook makes some very interesting "diyukim" (deductions) from this passage in the Talmud about when to wash or moisterize (with oil) right before left, and regarding anointing one's entire body, and relates to small "timely" fixings, as opposed to general improvement.

Ask the Rabbi: Possibly Early Mincha

Daf Yomi Menachot Daf 21

"FREEDOM CAME WITH A FLAG”- The First Flag of Israel

The Ramban explains that the exodus from Egypt was led by the first flag of Israel. This short article brings many unknown historic and halachic proofs of the importance of the Israeli flag.

Daf Yomi Menachot Daf 20

Daf Yomi Menachot Daf 19