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Gavra, so how come the Land did not eject them? The answer is that he term “rasha” has different meanings in different contexts. In Hilchot Eidut a rasha is someone who deliberately violated any halacha, even a derabban (Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat 34:2-3 with Rema). As Rambam agrees with this (Hilchot Eidut 10:3) yet says in Hilchot Teshuva (3:1) that a tzaddik is someone whose mitzvot outweigh his aveirot we must say that these terms have different definitions depending on the context.
Gavra, you forgot the next clause “?? ????? ?????? ??? ?????”. We do n ot know who is considered a tzaddik and who is not in Hashem’s eyes.
Gavra, which original points? I was addressing your contention that the Chessed l’Avraham was referring to “people like Achitofel, Doeg, Achav and Menashe”.
Gavra,
1. Rav Kook would disagree witht he Satmar rebbe.
2. How can you have a counterexample? Are you a navi? Rambam says (Hilchot Teshuva 3:1) that a tzaddik is someone whose mitzvot outweigh his aveirot. Rav Dessler says in “Kuntras HaBechira” that a person is judged on the point (“nekudat habechira”) where he has free choice. Where because of his circumstances (upbringing, life experiences, etc.) he does not have choice in either direction he is not judged. for example, a normal person does not wake up in the morning and debate whether or not he should commit murder. On the other hand, someone brought up in a secular atmosphere would not think twice about being mechallel Shabbat. This is simply the lifestyle he knows. This is the essence of being a tinnok shenishba.
Gavra, he did not specify but wrote generally. However, being that you brought them up, today’s secularists do not come up to their heels in evildoing. So ?? ???, ??? ???? ?? ?? ?????
????? ?? ???????
????:
??? ????? ???? ??????? “?????” ?”??????”, ???? ??????? ???? ???????
?????:
?? ????? ??????? (?’ ?”?) “??? ?’ ????? ??????” ???? ????? ????? ??????? (?? ?”?.) “??? – ??????, ?? ??? – ?????”, ????? – ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ??, ?? ?????, ?????? ???? ????? ????? ??.
???? ??? ????? ???? ?? ???? ?? ???? ??????, ?? ??? ??? ???? – ?? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ??? ???? ?????, ????? ???? ??? ????? ?? ??????.
So we see that the Geula itself is not dependent on our merits. Only the timing is dependent.
As for the people in EY not doing mitzvot:
??? ?????? ???? ? – ??? ??
??? ?? – ???? ????? ??? ???? ????? ????? ???? ?????, ????? ????? ????? ????? ????
?? ?? ???? ????? ????? ???”? ????? ???????? ??? ???? ??????? ?????? ??? ????, ?????? ????? ???’ ??? ???? ??????? ??”? ??? ?????? ??”?, ????????? ????? ???? ??’ ?????? ?????? ?????? ??? ?????, ?????? ???? ??????? ??? ?? ??. ???? ???? ????? ???”? ???? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ?????? ????? ???? ?? ?? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ??, ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ?’ ?????? ?????? ?????, ?????? ???? ????? ??? ????? ????, ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ?? ?? ????, ???? ???? ??”? ??????? ?? ?? ?? ???????:
??? ??? ?? ??? ???? ????? ???? ????, ?? ????? ?????? ??? ?????, ??? ?? ??? ???? ??? ???? ???? ????, ?????? ????? ???? ?? ??????, ????? ????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ???? ?? ?? ?? ???? ???? ????? ???.
MDG, as I have previously posted, the three oaths are not paskened in any of the codes. No surprise as Rav Chaim Vital says that they were only for 1,000 years. Besides, the other nations ratified our right to a state in the San Remo conference a few years after WW1. Acording to Rav Teichtal (Em HaBanim Semeicha) we were punished for NOT MAKING ALIYA. He says that this was a manifestation of the sin of the spies.
There is a tradition from Rav Chaim Volozhiner that America will be the last galut and the Jews there will never be persecuted as Jews. Of course, this does not mean that some Jews will not be persecuted for other reasons as in Argentina., where many Jews “disappeared” because they were leftists. During the Thirties pro-Nazi groups and individuals (e.g. Henry Ford ym”s and Father Coughlin ym”s) were active and vociferous. Polls showed widespread anti-Semitism. Yet American institutions held so far as Jews were concerned. The internment of Japanese-Americans was indeed reprehensible but nowhere near a holocaust. Since then America has changed greatly. Moreover, the right wing is increasing philo-Semitic as they are starting to remember the source of traditional American values and the left is ideological incapable of persecuting groups per se (although there might be “anti-discrimination’ actions against Jews, as well as other religious people, who do not want to service same-sex “marriages”). The great danger to American Jews today is assimilation. This is a silent self-imposed holocaust.
As for Orthodox Jews receiving stiff sentences for “petty” crimes, this is not limited to any ethnic or religious group. The Federal sentencing guidelines enacted after major fraud scandals
have led to Draconian white-collar sentences. However, the pendulum seems to be swinging back as almost everyone agrees that America is over-criminalized and should not have such a high percentage of citizens behind bars.
Akuperma,
Who says that they were “heavily” taxed? In fact, individuals have an obligation not to burden the community. Rambam says (Hilchot Mattanot Aniim 10:18)
????? ????? ??? ????, ??????? ????, ??? ????? ???????, ??? ????? ??? ???? ?? ??????; ??? ???? ????? ?????, ??? ???? ????, ??? ????? ???????. ?????? ??? ??? ??????, ?????–????? ???????, ?????? ??????? ??????; ??? ????? ???????: ???? ???? ????? ??????? ????, ??? ???? ???, ??? ??? ????? ??? ????? ???, ???????; ???? ???? ?????.
Even captives should not be redeemed for more than their value so as not to burden the community (Yam shel Sholomo, Gittin 4:66).
Chazal certainly would not have approved of a system that rewards breaking up families and promiscuous behavior.
Joseph, did they agree to keep their agreement?
Akuperma, how are Orthodox Jews left wing on Economics and if so, why? The highest form of tzedaka is to provide a person with a productive job and not just throw a money at him – and the Shach says (Yoreh Deah 249:7) that this is because being that the giver also profits the recipient is not embarrassed at all. The free market does this best. Moreover, Halacha presumes that businesses and property are private, the principle that tanai b’mamon kayam is based on the right of a person to do with his money as he pleases.
Joseph, he who hesitates is lost. While he’s waiting the first guy might find someone else and the second might not pan out.
Oomis, TY for your lesson in moral relativism. So how far does one go with this nonsense? Suppose parents want their child to marry someone davka from the same neighborhood so that they can talk about “the good old days”? One of the marks of a wise person is his ability to find common ground with everyone. Thus, when the Chafetz Chaim found himself on a long wagon ride with some rural people (who were very much derided by townspeople) he spent the entire time discussing horses (and saved them from speaking lashon hara).
Flatbusher,
1. What do you mean “mixed kids”? Do you think that they will come out with half the face black and the other white?
2. So if the parents (not the whole family) won’t accept him because he doesn’t learn in the father’s yeshiva, is too tall, too short or any other hair-brained reason they shouldn’t get married? There would almost not be any marriages.
There is no halachic obligation for either of you to respect their wishes. In fact, Rav Moshe Soloveichik objected to Rav Joseph Soloveichik’s choice (non-frum parents) as did her parents (frum parents). I don’t know what she said but Rav Soloveichik wrote his father a respectful halachic analysis proving that he did not have to listen. RMS told his associates that his son was right. Whether either of you is willing to take possible consequences is another matter. I suggest speaking to their rav.
DY, there are actually three opinions:
1. All are obligated.
2. None are obligated and there is no inyan to be machmir.
3. None are obligated but it is good to be machmir.
See http://www.torah.org.il/advanced/weekly-halacha/5761/vaeschanan.html
Not letting children look at pictures of non-kosher animals. So much for the flags of the shevatim and bringing them to Ashkenazic shuls (pictures of lions as well as the flags). I knew a talmid of Rav Scheinberg who decided to be makpid so he asked his parents not to bring such pictures as gifts at the bert. When the gifts were opened it was discovered that Rav Scheinberg’s wife gave pictures of bears.
As for walking between two women ,some say it is immodest. Not walking between two dogs or pigs is probably safer. BTW, just because something is mentioned in the Gemara does not necessarily mean that we pasken that way. A case in point is not leaving eggs, garlic or onions unpeeled overnight (see “The Weekly Halachah Discussion”, v.2 p. 460 ff.)
MDG, then why does he oppose men going to college?
1.I knew a rav (he has since passed on) who was from Galicia. He said that unlike in Lithuania, which was always poor, Galicia was well off as it had oil (also textile factories). However, the economic boycott of the ’30s wiped out many Jews.
2. I can’t understand how Rav Elchanan discounted the possibility of the Holocaust. The Chafetz Chaim said that the troubles and killing that the Jews have suffered till then will be, by comparison, “a kinder shpeel – child’s play.” Of course, there was a geenral tragic attitude on the part of each country’s Jewry that the Nazis ym”s meant another country’s. The French said that they only meant the German Jews, whom they blamed for the defeat in WW1, the German Jews thought they only meant the Ostjuden who had foreign ways and the Polish Jews thought they only meant the Jews of the Soviet Union, whom they considered to be Communists. Rav Soloveichik says that this teaches us forcefully that we are all in the sameboat.
HaKatan,
1. Of course the Holocaust was yad Hashem. Do you believe in two gods?
2. It is obvious to all that the State is a giant step toward the final Geula. Virtually everyone admits this. It is impossible to brush off regaining national independence (see Rambam at the beginning of Hilchot Chanuka), kibbutz galuyot with almost half the world’s Jews now living in EY, a strong economy and defense force, more people learning Tora than ever before. True, we still have a way to go but the Yerushalmi (Berachot 1:1)says that the Geula comes slowly in stages. We are now in one of the advanced stages.
Joseph,
1. Who says that they have enough? Moreover, the army needs precisely the type of soldiers yeshiva men would be – analytical types who can work in Intelligence. As for Shevet Levi, Rambam also says that in a milchemet mitzva (such as saving Jews) EVERYBODY goes (Hilchot Melachim 5:1 and 7:4).
2. If someone is not really learning but just goofing off besides the fact that he is robbing those who pay for his upkeep he is taking a deferment under false pretenses, which is geneivat daat.
3. What about having them do their service in an army bet midrash, and state explicitly that their learning is for the success of the troops as well as saying the misheberachs for the State (which is paying them so they should show some gratitude)and the soldiers?
1. If it is yad Hahem why does it not have “religious significance”?
2. What about the damage to their ruchniyot by not serving. Not to mention that they will either have to leave EY or live by shnorring as they will not be able to get jobs here.
Joseph, the Rashbam (Baba Batra 54b) states that dina d’malchuta dina is because anyonewho lives in a country implicitly accepts its laws. In any case, The Mechaber paskens (Choshen Mishpat 369:6) that it it also pertains in EY. This is certainly true regarding public safety and welfare laws (Responsa Chatam Sofer, Choshen Mishpat 44 – and see Ran, Derasha 11 where he affirms the power of the government in EY regarding criminal law).The obligation to pay taxes is affirmned by Rav Ovadia (Responsa Yachaveh Daat 5,63 ). Moreover, as the Israeli government was elected by the people it can be compared to communal boards (sheeva tuvei ha’ir), which have powers similar to those of the king (Rema Choshen Mishpat 2:1)
Joseph,
1. How do you define dismantling the State? Did France’s Fifth Republic
(= fifth constitution) dismantle France and create a new state?
2. Rav Wosner paskened that it is a mitzva for a police officer to ticket those who violate traffic laws. Rav Ovadia paskened (Yachve Daat 5,63 ) that the government has the power of a kingto levy taxes and therefore it is prohibited to cheat.
10 Relationships between Maran Ha-Rav Kook and Various Gedolei Yisrael that the Yeshiva World Should Know
[Collected by Mordechai Friedfertig.
Ha-Rav Aviner Shilt”a encouraged spreading its message]
1. The Praises of the Netziv
[in the Volozhin Yeshiva] [student]
[Tal Ha-Re’eiyah pp. 59-60, Shivchei Ha-Re’eiyah p. 45 and Be-Derech Ha-Torah Ha-Goelet p. 189]2. The Chafetz Chaim: Know that he is holy and pure and anyone who impinges on his honor will not go unpunished.
[Bisdeh Ha-Re’eiyah p. 218, Sichot Ha-Re’eiyah p. 122, Tal Ha-Re’eiyah p. 90, Moadei Ha-Re’eiyah p. 231 and 550, Bein Shenei Cohanim Gedolim pp. 32-33 and mentioned in Bishelosha Be-Elul vol. 1 p. 35]
After Maran Ha-Rav Kook had served a while in the Rabbinate in one of the holy communities in the Exile, he received an invitation from the Chafetz Chaim to help him prepare a work on the service of the Cohanim when the Temple is standing. Maran Ha-Rav replied: If his honor permits me to remove the yoke of the Rabbinate which is upon me, I can fulfill the request which is extremely dear to me. The Chafetz Chaim answered: I have not found an individual as talented as you in administering a Rabbinate in Israel!…
[Ha-Re’eiyah Kook ztzvk”l of Ha-Rav Shmuel Baruch Shulman p. 36]
At a huge Rabbinical Conference in Vienna in 5683, one of the Rabbis made disparaging remarks about Maran Ha-Rav, the Chafetz Chaim (who was sitting at the dais) stood up shocked and said: “You insulted the Mara De-Atra (Rabbinic authority) of Eretz Yisrael.” He left the conference and decided not to return to it. The Chafetz Chaim waited in his hotel to return to his city, and many people came to visit him or receive a blessing. When the members of delegation from Eretz Yisrael wanted to enter, he said: “I will not say ‘Shalom’ to those who caused dispute with the Rav of Yerushalayim (Maran Ha-Rav)!” And he added: “Know that he is holy and pure and anyone who impinges on his honor will not go unpunished.”
[Bisdeh Ha-Re’eiyah p. 225-228, Sichot Ha-Re’eiyah p. 26-127, Malachim Bivnei Adam p. 211 and for additional information on the subject see Sichot Ha-Re’eiyah chap. 11 and Bein Shenei Cohanim Gedolim chap. 4]
In the year 5681, our Rabbi, Ha-Rav Tzvi Yehudah Ha-Cohain Kook (Maran Ha-Rav’s son) traveled to Poland to meet with Rabbis and Chasidic Rebbes to convince them to join the “Degel Yerushalayim” movement which Maran Ha-Rav established to infuse the Zionist movement with Torah and holiness. At that time, the Chafetz Chaim came to Warsaw, and our Rabbi, who yearned to see the splendor of the most righteous person of the generation, went to where he was staying. He found him surrounded by people. After over an hour, our Rabbi approached to take leave from him. The Chafetz Chaim asked: “Are you a local?” Our Rabbi responded: “No, from Jerusalem,” and he added: “Your honor was close with Reb Eliyahu David (the Aderet), father-in-law of my father.” When the Chafetz Chaim heard whose son was standing before him, his face lit up and he joyfully said: “Your honor is the son of the Rav of Zimel, the Rav of Boisk, the Rav of Yafo, the Rav of Jerusalem? Then why does he speak about his grandfather? Tell me about your father! How is he? We are long-time, dear friends.”
[Bisdei Ha-Re’eiyah p. 221, Sichot Ha-Re’eiyah p. 126, Shivchei Ha-Re’eiyah pp. 157-158, Be-Derech Ha-Torah Ha-Goelet p. 97, Tzvi Kodesh p. 146 and Bein Shenei Cohanim Gedolim pp. 36-37]
See Bisdei Ha-Re’eiyah pp. 217-231, Sichot Ha-Re’eiyah pp. 120-133 and the book “Bein Shenei Cohanim Gedolim” which discuss the special relationship between the Chafetz Chaim and Maran Ha-Rav Kook.
3. Ha-Rav Yosef Chaim Sonenfeld: A Blessing to be the Cohain Gadol
On Shavuot morning after davening Vatikin, Maran Ha-Rav Kook was walking in one of the alleyways near the Kotel and met Ha-Rav Yosef Chaim Sonenfeld. Ha-Rav Sonenfeld blessed him that he should merit serving as the Cohain Gadol in the Temple.
[Moadei Ha-Re’eiyah pp. 303-304 and see another blessing of Ha-Rav Sonenfeld to Maran Ha-Rav ibid.]
It once happened that Ha-Sonenfeld was honored to be a Mohel at a Brit Milah and Maran Ha-Rav was honored to act as the Sandak. The two Rabbis met at the door of the apartment where the Brit Milah would occur. After they exchanged friendly greetings, a problem arose: Who would enter the house first? Maran Ha-Rav respectfully suggested that Ha-Rav Sonenfeld enter first. But he responded: “His honor is a Cohain and the Chief Rabbi [of Jerusalem]
[Melachim Kivnei Adam p. 64]4. Ha-Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzinski: A Eulogy for Maran Ha-Rav at a Wedding
[Bisdeh Ha-Re’eiyah p. 236, Chayei Ha-Re’eiyah pp. 388-389, Igrot Le-Re’eiyah #316 and Melachim Kivnei Adam pp. 106-107. Maran Ha-Rav’s response is found in Shut Da’at Cohain #223]
There was a wedding in Elul 5696 in which Rav Chaim Ozer, Ha-Rav Shimon Shkop and many other great Rabbis attended. When news arrived that Maran Ha-Rav had died, Rav Chaim Ozer instructed Ha-Rav Shmuel Markowitz, Av Beit Din of Turatz to eulogize him. And this is what was done.
See Igrot Le-Re’eiyah where there are tens of letters by Rav Chaim Ozer to Maran Ha-Rav with great respect and honor, and where it is possible to see the close relationship which existed between them.
5. Ha-Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer: We are Gedolim until we reach his doorknob
Ha-Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer, Rosh Yeshiva of Eitz Chaim in Jerusalem, said: “I was young when I arrived in Volozhin, and I looked with great respect at the greater students who sat on the eastern wall, and among them were prodigies who would become Gedolei Yisrael. But I remember well that looking at him [Maran Ha-Rav Kook] was completely different – even among the special he was distinguished by his uniqueness!”
[Tal Ha-Re’eiyah p. 71, Shivchei Ha-Re’eiyah p. 101 and the booklet “Az Nebabru Yirei Hashem” p. 13]
Ha-Rav Meltzer once visited Ha-Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, and Ha-Rav Meltzer said about Maran Ha-Rav: “We are Gedolim until we reach his doorknob.”
[Mi-Toch Ha-Torah Ha-Goelet vol. 2 p. 170, Le-Shelosha Be-Elul vol. 2 p. 101, Shivchei Ha-Re’eiah p. 202, Bisadeh Ha-Re’eiyah vol. 274, Malachim Kivnei Adam p. 430 and the booklet “Az Nebabru Yirei Hashem” p. 22]
Ha-Rav Meltzer said many times: “If only I could daven during Ne’eilah on Yom Kippur, with awe of holiness and feeling, like Ha-Rav [Kook] davens during weekday Minchah.”
[Sichot Ha-Rav Tzvi Yehudah #51, Le-Shelosha Be-Elul vol. 2 p. 102, Orot Ha-Tefillah of Ha-Rav Y. Epstein (student of Ha-Rav Meltzer) p. 26, Shivchei Ha-Re’eiyah p. 200, Malachim Kivnei Adam p. 256 and the booklet “Az Nebabru Yirei Hashem” p. 29]
[Moadei Ha-Re’eiyah vol. 12, Le-Shelosha Be-Elul vol 2 p. 101, Shivchei Ha-Re’eiyah p. 15, Bisadeh Ha-Re’eiyah vol. 275 and Malachim Kivnei Adam p. 430]
See the booklet “Az Nebabru Yirei Hashem” from Amichai Kinerati for the close relationship between Ha-Rav Meltzer and Maran Ha-Rav.
6. The Chazon Ish Stands During the Entire Lengthy Speech of Maran Ha-Rav Kook
As related by the founder of the city of Bnei Brak, Rabbi Yitzchak Gershtenkorn: In the year 5694, Ha-Rav Kook was invited to the foundation stone laying ceremony for Yeshivat Beit Yosef (Novardok) in Bnei Brak, and he agreed to attend. During the celebration, in which the Chazon Ish also participated, Ha-Rav [Kook] gave a lengthy speech, with great passion regarding the Torah and Chasidut in Bnei Brak. During the entire time that Ha-Rav Kook spoke, those who attended sat comfortably in their places, while the Chazon Ish remained on his feet and listened intently to Ha-Rav Kook. Only when Ha-Rav Kook finished and sat down did the Chazon Ish sit in his seat. The matter was a wonder in the eyes of those present. Ha-Rav Tzvi Kagan, who was also there, added that when the speech of Ha-Rav Kook became lengthy, they suggested to the Chazon Ish to sit down, but he refused, saying: “The Torah is standing!”
[Pe’er Ha-Dor vol. 2 p. 32, Malachim Kivnei Adam pp. 340-341, Bisadeh Ha-Re’eiyah p. 247, Moadei Ha-Re’eiyah pp. 217-218 and Likutei Ha-Re’eiyah pp. 417-419]
Immediately upon arrival in Eretz Yisrael, the Chazon Ish turned to Maran Ha-Rav with a postcard asking him to clarify the correct procedure for redeeming “Ma’aser Sheni” (The tithe which would be brought to be eaten in Jerusalem). He began: “The Glory of the Honor of our Master Shlit”a”.
[Igrot Le-Re’eiyah #310, bisadeh Ha-Re’eiyah p. 35, Chayei Ha-Re’eiyah pp. 119-120 and Moadei Ha-Re’eiyah pp. 217-218. Maran Ha-Rav’s response is printed in Shut Mishpat Cohain #53-54 and see Pe’er Ha-Dor vol. 4 pp. 222-223]
The Chazon Ish encouraged his most gifted students to learn the halachic works of Maran Ha-Rav, and he would say: “Ha-Rav’s way of learning and clarification of the Halachah is the truth of Torah.”
[Re’eiyah Ve-chazon p. 10 and Bisadeh Ha-Re’eiyah p. 145]
See Bisadeh Ha-Re’eiyah pp. 233-248 where there are letters concerning Halachah and filled with respect and honor between Maran Ha-Rav and the Chazon Ish.
7. Ha-Rav Yitzchak Ze’ev Soloveitchik: The Glory of the Generation
Ha-Rav Yosha Ber (Ha-Rav Berel Soloveitchik), Ha-Griz’s son and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Brisk following his father, once spoke harshly against Zionism. He was asked: And what about Ha-Rav Kook? He answered: “He is a Gadol.” (from Ha-Rav Zalman Baruch Melamed).
[Ha-Rav Eliezer Melamed in the article “Ha-Rav Kook and Beit Brisk” which appeared in the newspaper “Be-Sheva” 5767 and Igrot Le-Re’eiyah #373]
8. Ha-Rav Moshe Feinstein: He was the Gaon of Geonim!
Ha-Rav Shabatai Rapaport, Ha-Rav Feinstein’s grandson, related that in the year 5739, during Sukkot in Monsey, NY, Ha-Rav Feinstein was involved with writing a contrary view to a responsa of Ha-Rav Eliezer Waldenberg (Tzitz Eliezer). Ha-Rav Rapaport showed his grandfather a statement from Maran Ha-Rav Kook (relating to the issue) which Ha-Rav Rapaport found amazing. Ha-Rav Feinstein responded: “What is surprising, he was the Gaon of Geonim!”
[Likutei Ha-Re’eiyah p. 59]
Ha-Rav Nisan Alpert, Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University, Rabbi of Agudat Yisrael, author of “Limudei Nisan” and Ha-Rav Feinstein’s student for forty years, was one of those who eulogized his Rav in New York. He also spoke at a memorial evening for Ha-Rav Kook, on the 50th anniversary of his passing. When he was asked about the connection between his Rav and Ha-Rav Kook, he answered that Ha-Rav Feinstein was a “Chasid” of Ha-Rav Kook. Ha-Rav Feinstein said to learn his books and one will find great things. He also added, rhetorically, that he did not understand what people wanted from Ha-Rav Kook ztz”l.
[Likutei Ha-Re’eiyah p. 60]
9. Ha-Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach: I only use the term ‘Der Rov’, Maran, for Ha-Rav Kook.
[Ha-Torah Ha-Mesamachat p. 41 and Sefer Rabbenu p. 140 from the newspaper “Ha-Tzofeh”]
Ha-Rav S.Z. Auerbach said: If I say to you ‘Maran’ in Yiddish , know that I am referring to Ha-Rav Kook zt”l. I only use the term ‘Der Rov’, Maran, for Ha-Rav Kook.
[Sefer Rabbenu ibid. and the booklet “Or Shlomo” p. 24 and see note 34 where various testimonies to this fact are quoted]
Ha-Rav Auerbach honored Maran Ha-Rav with being the Sandek at the Brit Milah of his eldest son, R’ Shmuel, who today serves as the Rosh Yeshiva of “Maalot Ha-Torah” in Jerusalem.
[The booklet “Or Shlomo” p. 21]
Maran Ha-Rav’s picture hung together with pictures of other Gedolei Yisrael in Ha-Rav Auerbach’s sukkah.
[The booklet “Or Shlomo” p. 28]
Ha-Rav Chaim Shteiner related that someone once published a book about Ha-Rav Yitzchak Elchanan Spector which also included disgraceful words about Ha-Rav Kook. Ha-Rav Auerbach said that it is forbidden to buy this book until it is corrected, and he also wrote a letter to the author asking him to fix it. He also met the author a few times and would always ask if the book was being fixed.
Ha-Rav Avigdor Neventzal related that Ha-Rav Auerbach would not hear the rulings of a particular Torah scholar because he besmirched Ha-Rav Kook’s honor.
[Ha-Torah Ha-Mesamachat p. 308 and the booklet “Or Shlomo” p. 30]
Ha-Rav A. Yehoshua Zuckerman related that when someone mentioned in a talk about the horrible behavior of certain individuals against Maran Ha-Rav Kook, Ha-Rav Auerbach responded with great distress: I recommend that those who were brazen and dishonored Ha-Rav should go to his grave and ask forgiveness.
[Ve-Alehu Lo Vibol vol. 1 p. 83 and the booklet “Or Shlomo” p. 30]
And see further in the booklet “Or Shlomo” by Amichai Kinerati for the close relationship between Ha-Rav Auerbach and Maran Ha-Rav.
10. Ha-Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlit”a: Ha-Rav Kook was greater than us!
[Parashah Sheet “Shevet Ha-Re’eiyah #31]
[Weekly parashah sheet “Shevet Ha-Re’eiyah #31 and #50]
It is related that Rabbanit Elyashiv once heard words which impinged upon Maran Ha-Rav’s honor, and it caused her so much pain that she physically suffered from it for many days.
[Tzadik Yesod Olam p. 232 and Parashah Sheet “Shevet Ha-Re’eiyah #50]
Ha-Rav Elyashiv once wrote a halachic ruling, and after he finished someone showed him a different opinion which Maran Ha-Rav had written on the subject. Ha-Rav Elyashiv immediately ripped up his ruling and changed his opinion to that of Maran Ha-Rav.
[Parashah Sheet “Shevet Ha-Re’eiyah #50]
Ha-Rav Elyashiv once mentioned a particular teaching of Maran Ha-Rav. Someone who was present said that Rabbi so-and-so, one of the greatest Rabbis of the generation, sayid otherwise. Ha-Rav Elyashiv simply responded: Ha-Rav Kook was greater than us!
[Parashah Sheet “Shevet Ha-Re’eiyah #50]
1. Rav Kook was the mesader kiddushin of both Rav Eliashiv and Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (who before he married was a regular at Rav Kook’s public seuda shelisheet and derasha). Rav Eliashiv was, in fact, married to a daughter of Rav Arye Levine, who was a talmid muvchak of Rav Kook.
2. Rav Hutner was Rav Tzvi Yehuda’s brother-in-law. he incorporated many of Rav Kook’s teachings into his own writings.
3. The “Kook shmook” statement, if the CC said it, obviously referred to what the newspaper attributed to Rav Kook (at the time falsifications of Rav Kook’s statements were being circulated in Poland). It is inconceivable that the CC, who not only literally wrote the book on lashon hara and hotzaat shem raand and received a haskama from the Sefat Emmet after the latter unsuccessfully tried to get him to say lh as a test, would have expressed himself thus on the basis of a newspaper report.
Patur,
1. I wrote that the person who told me is a rav who learned in YU. However, you are correct that he was not a personal talmid of Rav Gorelik. In any case, considering the fact that the same types who want to besmirch Rav Kook are also denying the extent of Rav Gorelik’s connection with YU I do not find them reliable.
2. Apparently Rav Kook was still strong enough to speak with Rav Soloveichik in learning as he instructed Rav Tzvi Yehuda to attend all of Rav Soloveichik’s shiurim (the reason he was here was that he was a candidate of Rav of Tel Aviv – in the end the electors decided that he was too young and chose Rav Moshe Avigdor Amiel).
Joseph, we have the fact that the CC walked out when someone made disparaging remarks about Rav Kook at the first Aguda convention and the letter of his his son-in-law (http://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/2012/05/chofetz-chaim-chazon-ish-rav-kook.html). So either Rav Gorelik never said what is said in his name or he said it with a different inflection whose meaning was that the CC did not belieev the libels against Rav Kook.
As for the soccer players, Rav Kook protested against playing on Shabbat on numerous occasions. However, he felt that sport on weekdays was a worthy activity in order to strengthen one’s body. Moreover, he felt that by by showing how sport in general can be compatible with Judaism he could bring these young men closer. Here are his exact words in a letter to Rav Yoseph Mashash in 5688 printed in ?????? ?? ????” ????’ ??”? ?????, ??’ 109 ??”?????? ????”?” (???’ ???”? ?”? ??’ 473-474, ?????’ ??? ?”? ??’ 189-190):
“????? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ??? ???, ???? ?? ?? ??????? ????? ?? ??? ??????? ????? ??????, ?????? ??? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????, ??? ???? ???? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ?????, ??? ??? ???? ??????? ???? ?????. ???? ????? ??? ??????? ????? ?????? ??? ????, ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ??”? ???? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????. ??? ???? ?? ????? ???’ ??? ?????? ????? ?????, ??? ???? ??????? ????????, ???????? ?? ??? ???, ???? ????? ?? ??? ??????. ?????? ??? ????? ?? ???? ????? ????? ???? ????? ??????, ?????? (?’ ?????? ???) ???? ????? ?????? ??????. ????? ????? ?? ???? ??? ?? ??? ?? ????? (????? ??.) ?? ‘??? ????? ????’ ??? ????? ‘??? ???? ???? ?????? ??’? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ?? ???? ??? ??????? ?????? ??????, ??? ????? ??? ????? (?”? ????? ??, ??). ???? ??? ?? ?????? ?????, ?????? ????? ??????? ?????? ????. ???? ?? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ?????? ????? ??????, ??????? ????? ??????? ????? ??”? ??????. ???? ????? ???? ???? ?? ???? ????, ??? ?? ????? ?????? ???????”
This is a possibility brought down in Kabbala. For example, if Reuven dies owing money to Shimon and Shimon does not forgive him both must come back until the mon?? is repaid. See http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pagefeed/hebrewbooks_org_39936_35.pdf.
However, whether this or that individual is suffering because of that is not our concern. We only have the halachic obligation to try to help him.
1. More nonsense. In any case, we have an obligation to establish a state.
2. Actually, younger Chareidim today are generally right-wing. Certainly Sephardi Chareidim. In any case, the Arabs have made it clear that they want
EVERY Jew whose family came after 1917 to leave. This includes most Chareidim.
3. Israeli is a half-filled glass so far as religious secular is concerned. PerhapsHashem is looking at the part that is filled. Perhaps it does not matter. The time has come.
Joseph,
1. I asked a rav who is a YU grad about Rav Gorelik and he said that Rav Gorelik would never have disparaged a talmid chacham. BTW, his “talmidim” also try to deny his relationship with YU.
2. When Rav Kook spoke at the opening of the Novardok yeshiva in Bnei Brak the Chazon Ish stood saying that the Tora was standing.
3. The Netziv, Rav Shlomo HaCohen of Vilna, Rav Meir Simcha, Rav Tzvi Pesach Frank and Rav Herzog with only some of the gedolim who supported establishing a state. Again, I refer you to the two volume set ?????? ???.
“The Muslims have never objected to Jews living Torah-based lives” This is errant nonsense. Rambam wrote “Iggeret HaShmad” in the wake of forced conversions of Jews in Morocco. In Yemen fatherless Jewish children under thirteen were forceably placed in Moslem homes to be raised as Moslems (unless they were married – which is why girls whose fathers died r”l were quickly married off by their families). There were also forced conversions in Bukhara and Persia, among other places.
We have a mitzva to conquer EY (Ramban, Sefer HaMitzvot, Mitzvot that Rambam “forgot”). Having a flag, a government, etc. is critical. As for the Islamic world’d ability to wage war, the Zohar says at the end of parashat Balak that they and the Western world will destroy each other and then Mashiach will come.
I propose a population exchange – Arabs in EY for Americans who are halachically Jewish. Details can be worked out by a detail person.
MW13, Rav Aviner also said that segulot for parnassa work for those who sell them. Of course, if the baker is struggling this might be a surreptitious way to give him tzedaka. However, if they use them for Shabbat there is also a question of whether or not they are considered lechem mishna as they are not complete being that the keys pierced them. In any case, I just hope that those who partake don’t break their teeth on the keys, and certainly do not get metal poisoning c”v.
[10] There was another massacre in Barfurush in 1867.
Daas, that is not a debunking. It is merely a statement that it is found in Chassidic works. In fact, he admits that there are no earlier Jewish sources. Perhaps they were trying to justify Jewish folk customs that came about from seeing gentile customs. One modern example is the Chanuka bush. Other examples are red strings (see Tosefta Shabbat 7:1) and the hamsa hand. The fact that poskim did not protest does not necessarily mean that they approved. Rather they did not think that people would listen and preferred that they be shoggagim and not meizidim.
“The baking of a key inside a bread is a non-Jewish custom which has its foundation in Christian, and possibly even earlier, pagan culture. At least one old Irish source tells how at times when a town was under attack, the men said, ‘let our women-folk be instructed in the art of baking cakes containing keys.
The modern Jewish custom of baking the symbolic shlissel challah, annually takes place on the shabbat immediately following the holiday of Pessah, when tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of religiously observant Jewish women practice this observance.
Joseph, two million is a gross exaggeration. Demographers have proven that the PA’s figures are inflated. In an case, there may not be a practical solution right now. If so Netanyahu’s policy of not doing anything is correct. Ideally, they should be given generous resettlement allowances by an international fund in order to permanently emigrate to various countries that need moneyed immigrants or to establish a state on some island. In fact, polls show that the majority would leave if they had somewhere to go – and these are the ones who are willing to admit it to a pollster.
Joseph, actually there are two Mashiachs: Mashiach ben Yoseph and Mashiach ben David. Rabbi Hillel Rivlin, in “Kol HaTor”, quotes his rebbe the Gra as saying that the job of the first is kibbutz galuyot and building the material side of EY and the job of the latter is to build the spiritual side. Rav Kook believed (“Hesped b’Yerushalayim” printed in “Mamari HaRayah”) that Herzl, or perhaps the Zionist movement in general, was the former and explains why it opposed religion. He has been proven correct by history.
Joseph, you are a notorious libeler. I suggest that you and Daas read ?????? ???”, which details a long list of gedolim from various eidot who supported Zionism.
Joseph, dude,
1. “For hundreds of years prior to Zionism (note: prior to Zionism – not prior to Israel) there were not nearly as many as Jews killed in Palestine”. What about the Crusades, Chmielnitzki massacres, blood libels and pogroms? The numbers you cite are nothing compared to the dead and injured in those attacks.
2. Again, you are blaming the victim (not that you are alone – someone wrote a book blaming the Boston Marathon bombing on the difficulties immigrants have in America). According to your logic we should all assimilate. If there will be no Jews no Jews will be killed. In fact, there will be no anti-Semitism although some other scapegoat will surely be found.
3. Almost nobody held like the Brisker Rav. In fact, the head of Agudat Yisrael in Eretz Yisrael, Rav. Y.Y. Levin signed the Declaration of Independence.
4. In “Em HaBanim Semeicha Rav Teichtal brings down that the Gra (quoted by his talmid Rabbi Hillel Rivlin, in “Kol HaTor”) said that just before the time of Mashiach the sin of the spies will infect some who hold on to the Tora. Rav Kook was a bit gentler. He said that anti-Zionism came from a misconception of Judaism. Unfortunately, many accepted this misconception and as a result turned their backs on Judaism.
Joseph, the canard about Jews living peacefully under Moslem rule is utter nonsense. Just to give one example, in the middle of the 19th century, J. J. Benjamin wrote about the life of Persian Jews:
This, in fact, was the general lot of Jews in Moslem countries. As for your despicable attempt to blame Zionism for Jews dying in wars and terrorist attacks, why not blame the desire for cars for traffic deaths? This a typical blame the victim tactic used by our enemies.
On the contrary, Yekke. Rav Meir Simcha was a Zionist who personally contributed to the JNF. As for why our enemies hate us, the initiator of the Holocaust wrote explicitly in his book that he hated us because we brought morality to the world. Our enemies now see that the establishment of the State of Israel was a giant step towards a Jewish Yerushalayim as the legal and moral center of the world and they are trying desperately to stop it as they want it either to be in Brussels or in some Caliphate.
To say that the government is anti-religious is a blood libel! the government is mainly secular but Jewish holidays are legal holidays, Shabbat is a legal day of rest, etc., etc. Except for a daat yachid (which Rav Teichtal says in “Em HaBanim Semeicha” is the sin of the spies) agreed that it is a mitzva. Of course, if someone does not have transferable job skils, is middle-aged, etc. he may be temporarily exempt but one has to examine his situation periodically to see if he is still exempt.
The test is to offer to take him to a restaurant or buy him food in a supermarket on condition that he give you all of his cigarettes. If he agrees (and he might not – my grandfather a”h once offered to take a beggar to a restaurant and he said that he wanted money) and then you see him smoking again he is probably not deserving (although you never know – maybe someone gave him cigarettes). This, BTW, is also true regarding wearing nice shoes, etc. Maybe someone gave them to him. However, if one’s tzedaka ability is very limited IMHO he should pick and choose his beneficiaries.
The Sephardim use “Chacham”. I know someone who calls me “Chacham Avraham” whenever he wants something.
He created people who ask such questions. Chazal definitely had a sense of humor. See for example Sanhedrin 113a (at the bottom)-b (at the top).
American Yerushalmi, it is not true that “Before the establishment of the state, nearly all gedolei Yisroel opposed the idea in the stronger terms possible.” In fact, a long list of gedolim were in favor. Rav Meir Simcha (who personally contributed to the JNF) Rav Kook, Rav Soloveichik, Rav Moshe, Rav Henkin and Rav Dessler to name a few. Fortunately THEIR words were heeded and the yishuv did the mitzva (Ramban, Sefer HaMitzvot, Mitzvot that Rambam “forgot”) of establishing the State (with the signature of then head of Agudat Yisrael in EY, Rav Y> Y. Levin).
Akuperma, in Rambam’s time there was no IDF and no possibility or organizing one. He took the job because he needed the money and at the time the Moslems for whom he worked were not oppressing the Jews. The proper analogy would be a frum Jew taking a job as a physician to Obama.
Akuperma, it is a Tora mitzva to conquer EY (Ramban Sefer HaMitzvot, Mitzvot that Rambam “forgot”). Slackers are not only ignoring this but violating the mitzva to participate in an obligatory war (Rambam Hilchot Melachim 5:1-2)