Yom Yerushalayim: First Kingdom, Then Temple

by Rav Yosef Carmel, yeshiva.co, translated by Hillel Fendel

Let us discuss, once again, the connection between the Torah aspects of Jewish life, and the national aspects thereof – expressed only in an independent Jewish state. This topic can be intriguingly analyzed in terms of the actions of the founders of the first Jewish commonwealth, Kings David and Shlomo, father and son.

Bamidbar: A Mitzvah That Only a Nation Can Perform

by Rav Yehuda HaKohen, visionmag.org

A people's army is necessary for Israel to fulfill the Divine commandment of sovereignty over our land

Behukotai: The Clearest Sign That Redemption Is Near

by Baruch Gordon

Baruch Gordon shares from our ancient sources the clearest sign that Redemption is near...and shows us the realization of the prophecy today!

[3.5-minute video]

*SPECIAL* Pollard's Visit to Judea/Samaria This Week

By Hillel Fendel

Jonathan Pollard was noticeably moved by his tour on Tuesday of several new and old Jewish communities in the Binyamin region of Judea and Samaria. Pollard, who served a full, unprecedented 30-year sentence in the U.S. on charges of espionage against a friendly country (Israel), recently lost his beloved wife, and the leader of the struggle for his release, Esther.

The Secrets of Lag BaOmer

by Rav Yosef Carmel, translated by Hillel Fendel

The minor holiday of Lag BaOmer, coming up next Thursday, is traditionally associated with the Divine Tannaitic Sage, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (Rashbi) – as well as with the thousands of students of Rabbi Akiva, who "stopped dying" on this day. Both of these are connected to each other as well: Rashbi supported the anti-Rome approach – even, or especially, after the Romans destroyed the Second Holy Temple; and Rabbi Akiva, too, apparently supported Bar Kochba's actual revolt against the Romans that led to a type of Jewish independence for three years. Some say that the deaths of Rabbi Akiva's students occurred when they fought against the Romans.

Rashbi, of course, is also considered the first to teach what we today call Kabbala and the Zohar; in Hebrew, this is Torat HaSod, Teachings of That Which is Secret.

Q&A: Is It Permitted to Buy an "Investment Property" in Judea/Samaria?

  

Q. I would like to buy a home in Yesha (Judea/Samaria) in order, simply put, to make some money - either by renting it out, or selling it later for a profit. Is this appropriate, or should I assume that it is not a good idea, because it makes it harder for others to fulfill the commandment of settling the Land of Israel? I can actually ask the same question about a home anywhere in Israel, but in Yesha, the stakes are higher, given the situation there. 

Lessons from Gush Etzion, Hevron – and My Great-Grandfather

by Rav Moti Weissrosen, yeshiva.co, translated by Hillel Fendel

As we exit the magical duo of milestone days – Memorial Day for fallen IDF soldiers and terrorism victims, and Israel Independence Day – it behooves us to understand the concept of "remembering" in general, and the idea of remembering the deceased in particular.

Jewish history and Jewish Law [Halakhah] put a strong emphasis on the concept of remembering: We often mention "in memory of Creation" (zekher l'maaseh B'reshit) and "in memory of the Exodus from Egypt" (zekher liytziat Mitzrayim), and we are commanded to remember what Amalek did to us, and what happened to Miriam, and the Sabbath day, etc. The idea is that via remembering the past, we are able to learn lessons for the present and in anticipation of the future.

Yom HaAtzma'ut: Is Israel Something to Thank G-d For?

Rav Shlomo Aviner, Machon Meir, translated by Hillel Fendel

Question: The State of Israel is far from perfect. There are religious, ethical, cultural and other faults and defects. How can we celebrate Israel Independence Day happily and sincerely under such circumstances?