Eretz Yisrael Sources #1

• Eretz Yisrael Sources #1

Text 1

• Jews residing in Israel fulfill a Mitzvah.
• G-d's creation of the world gives Him ultimate authority
• G-d chooses the inhabitants of specific places.
• The Torah starts with creation to highlight G-d's supremacy.
• Promises are made by G-d to leaders like Abraham and Isaac.
• Promises relate to the connection between G-d, the people, and the land.
• The land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people
• Future generations will retain the land
• G-d will always protect the Jewish people.

Texts 2-6

• G-d makes promises to Abraham.
• The three stages of promises are repeated.
• Text 7 discusses these five texts.

Text 7

• Examines why G-d repeats the promise of land to Avraham multiple times.

• Rambam suggests three stages:

  • G-d will give Avraham any land he walks on.
  • G-d will give Avraham any land he sees.
  • G-d has already given Avraham all land, which remains his even in exile

• Eretz Yisrael Sources #2

Text 1

• Israel is supremely holy
• Individuals can be compelled to move to Israel but not to leave
• Divorce without alimony can occur if a family refuses to move to Israel.
• Marriage in Israel equates to divorce in Israel
• Marriage in Israel equates to divorce outside of Israel
• Marriage outside of Israel equates to divorce outside of Israel
• Marriage outside of Israel equates to divorce in Israel.

Opinion 1 (Rabbis)

• Israeli currency should be used
• Being in Israel is highly significant, we should assume its currency
• This highlights the importance, demand, and expectation to reside there.

Opinion 2 (Rabbi Shimon Gamliel)

• Currency from outside of Israel should be used.
• The pattern should remain consistent.
• Using non-Israeli currency aligns with the original intention.
• Deviation from this is questioned as it opposes the Rabbis' view.

Text 2

• G-d loves both the people and the land.
• The land and its people complement each other, enhancing their beauty.

Text 3

• Sages state that living outside of Israel equates to being without G-d.
• Gemara clarifies this to mean that such individuals might be assumed idol worshippers.
• This isn't literal but suggests exposure to other religions may encourage idolatry.
• They are expressing importance of living in Israel

Text 4

• David states he would rather live on a porch in Israel than in castles and palaces in Diaspora.

• He would rather eat carrobs (unnutritious) than leave Israel

• Emphasises importance of Israel

• Love of the Land

• Settling the Land of Israel sources

Text 1

• The sanctity of Israel comes from its people through inhabiting, settling, and conquering

Text 2

• Israel's holiness is established upon conquering it with a leader and court
• Individuals can live anywhere except Egypt
• Leaving Israel is permissible only for:
  • Improved Torah study elsewhere
  • Better financial opportunities elsewhere
  • Marriage needs elsewhere
• Leaving Israel is viewed negatively

Text 3

• Mitzvot Dependant on the Land

Bikkurim

• The first fruits of the season must be offered to G-d

• It is a sign of devotion

• Oral Torah Lesson 1

Toshba

• Oral Torah

Toshbach

• Written Torah

Text 1

• Wheat and cake are used as a metaphor
• The cake is better, but originates from the wheat
• The written Torah is the foundation
• The oral Torah is the definition of laws and refined
• We should be partners of G-d to learn and follow

Text 2

• Wheat and flax are used as a metaphor
• The wheat and flax is not as good as the bread, flour and cloth made from it
• The written Torah is not immediately usable
• The Oral Torah explains the written and makes it usable and able to practice
• The written Torah is a resource to be used and understood

Text 3

• Some assume the written Torah is too difficult to understand
• This is untrue and it is our responsibility to learn, live and follow the laws

Text 4 - Video 1

• Moshe receives the Torah passed down to Yehoshua, Zekeinim/Elders, Neviem, Men of the great assembly, Zuggot, Tannaim and then the Amoraim

Video 2

• Zuggot means pairs
• Nasi means high up or president
• Av Beit Din is head of the court of law
• Tannaim means "the repeaters" of the Oral Torah
• Amoraim means the explainers of the Oral Torah
• Brighta are parts of the mishnah that did not make the cut

Video 3

• People began to forget the Oral Torah
• The Nasi (Yahuda HaNasi) collected the teachings of the Tannaim
• He put it into small bits of Torah called Mishnayot (Singular- Mishna)
• Collected pieces that did not make the cut for the Mishna were called Brighta
• The Mishna was taught Orally
• People began to forget it

Video 4

• Sages that come after the Tannaim are Amoraim
• Amoraim explained the Mishnah, becasue it was so compact, it made no sense
• The discussions of the Amoraim are called Sugiot
• The collection of Sugiot is called Gemara
• The Gemara is in Aramaic because they spoke Aramaic
• The Mishnah and the Gemara together is called Talmud (The teaching)

Video 6

• When the Mishna was being organized, Yahuda HaNasi put them into groups

• The groups are called Sedarim (orders)

  • Seeds (Zearim) are about the holiness of Israel and growing food
  • Times/festivals (Moed) encompasses Shabbat laws, holidays, and fast days
  • Women (Nashim) covers marriage and divorce
  • Damages (Nezikin) concerns money, property, and damaging others things
  • Holy things (Kedoshim) covers sacrifice and Kosher laws
  • Pure things (Taharot) encompasses handwashing, Mikvah and spiritual purity

• Oral Torah Lesson 2

Importance

• The Oral Torah is required in order to understand the written Torah
• The Torah alone is open to interpretation
• The Torah was not an afterthought since it was given by G-d originally

Point

Explain the written Torah

• Provide details not in the written Torah
• Provide halacha for new circumstances
• Provide Rabbinic laws to protect Biblical laws
• Help make sure we do not break the Biblical laws
• Interaction/study of the oral torah is required to understand it Rather than just a written book (not engaged with as often)