articles on Holieness of the Land
To The Outpost Settlers: "Thank You"
Today's settlers have infused the entire nation with strength. We need to express gratitude to these people and say, "Thank you".
"Do Not Give Them a Resting Place in the Land"
Why is it forbidden to sell them land?
Is Eilat part of Eretz Yisrael?
View the Rabbis answer here>>
The attitude towards the Land of Israel
Living in the Land of Israel or at least visiting it regularly is currently the centerpiece of Jewish life, its faith and its future.
Lessons on Holieness of the Land
Strengthening Our Motivation for Aliya: Why (!) is Eretz Yisrael so Important?!
All Jews know that Eretz Yisrael is important, but the question is: Why?! It's not enough just to quote chazal who praise her importance, but how can we strengthen our motivation to want (!) to make Aliya? This class deals with 5 explanations what Chazal exactly mean when they say that "Living in Israel is equated with all the other mitzvot combined". In addition to the greater quantity enabling many more mitzvot (Torah Tmima), and their real quality (Ramban), the Rivash points out that this mitzva is on a higher level than others bc it's for all of Israel & for all generations, & "doubles" our Judaism. The Chatam Sofer adds it raises one's life to a "planet" of kedusha even in his food, work & rocks, and Rav Kook adds an additional innovative idea.
Rabbi Ari Shvat
The Kedusha of Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael
What is the definition of "Kedusha" in general, and in particular, how should we understand the holiness of the Jewish Nation and the Land of Israel? Is kedusha (translated: holiness) essentially inherent, or is it acquired through Torah and mitzvot? Rav Kook's harmonic approach, based upon Tanachic and rabbinic sources, helps us make sense of these most basic issues.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Iyar 16 5780
