Acharei Mot-Kedoshim: Torah, in All Its Forms, Goes Forth From Zion

 by Rav Yosef Carmel, yeshiva.org.il, translated by Hillel Fendel

Speaking last week about the weekly Torah portion, we noted that on Israel Independence Day, Yom HaAtzma'ut, we should thank G-d not only for the historic formation of the State of Israel in our generation, but also for the fact that Israel today is a Torah powerhouse, the likes of which we've never seen in any generation. The number of Torah students today is the largest ever, and the amount of hours spent studying Torah is the largest ever – all this mainly thanks to the State of Israel. The level of Torah study here in Israel is also the highest in the entire Jewish world. (We also stated that we must increase our in-depth Torah study, which is the most important part of our engagement with Torah.)

Emuna: The Inner Jewish Spark that Cannot be Extinguished

by Rav Avihu Schwartz, yeshiva.co, translated by Hillel Fendel

It is well-known that the first modern-day Chief Rabbi of the Land of Israel, HaRav Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook zt"l, engaged very much in kiruv rechokim, outreach to non-observant and even anti-religious Jews. Many of his rabbinical colleagues objected to this approach, because it involves the danger of connecting with and learning from anti-Torah Jews. 

Emuna: Redemption Has Begun - But It Needs a Jumpstart

by Rav Hayim Avihu Schwartz, yeshiva.org.il, translated by Hillel Fendel

An intricate discussion appears in the Gemara (Talmud, Tr. Sanhedrin 97b) about the future Redemption and whether or not it is contingent upon the Jewish People's return to a Torah life. One Sage cites the verse from Habakuk 2 that states, "If it [the time of Redemption] tarries, wait for it," indicating that it is not conditional. 

Tazria: Brit Milah: It's OK for Gentiles Not to Understand

by Rav Yehezkel Frankel (slightly abridged), yeshiva.org.il, translated by Hillel Fendel

The word "narrative" has been with us for several years now, and is a fairly manipulative term. It is not quite a "story," but rather a specific choice as to which events to relate and in what order, rendering it a particular expression of a story, rather than the story itself.