Rabbi Ari Shvat
Rav Kook's Torah, religious Zionism, the Land of Israel & Original Songs
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What’s Actually Prohibited on Chol HaMo’ed?
Four categories that sort out when ‘professional’ work is fine and when only a layman’s version is. Q. What’s Actually Prohibited…
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How Do Mercy and Reverence for G-d Relate?
A perfect G-d doesn’t need honor — reverence is framed here as entirely for our own benefit. Q. What is the…
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Does Judaism Believe in Reincarnation?
Rishonim split sharply — and the many who accept it treat it as an answer to unjust suffering. Q. Is there…
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Who Pays When War Cancels Your Plans?
Driving lessons, hotel bookings, missed workdays — the halacha of a sudden reserve call-up. Q. Many monetary questions arose as a…
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What Changes When Chanuka Falls on Shabbat?
Mincha before candle-lighting, and candles that need to burn far longer than usual. Q. What’s done differently when Chanuka falls on…
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Touch-Activated Watches on Shabbat
The same logic that permits ordinary digital watches turns out to cover altimeters and thermometers too, as long as you don’t…
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Is Hell a Real Place?
A Chassidic idea: heaven and hell are the same place — the difference is what you actually enjoy. Q. Is hell…
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Why Did Creation Take Seven Days?
A G-d who could do it in one instant chose gradual creation instead — on purpose. Q. Why did G-d decide…
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“If Ḥaredim Must Serve in the IDF, Should Young Jewish Men in the Diaspora Also Be Required?
Published in Hakirah Torah Journal, Spring 2026/תשפ”ו1 If this war is a Milchemet Mitzvah — and no halachic authority disputes that…
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Friendship with Non-Jews: Separation or Racism?
The Torah’s setting is a Jewish people in its own Land. In exile the calculus changes — and it is about…