Pirkei Torah UMedinah (in Hebrew)

Studies in the teachings of Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli zt”l.

From the establishment of the Zionist movement until the present day, the relationship between Torah and the State has been, and continues to be, a focal point of tension and disagreement among different sectors of the Jewish people: between those who observe the mitzvot and those who do not, and between supporters of the State and its opponents.

Public discussion of these issues tends to be political and ideological and is generally conducted with little connection to the halachic foundations that have been examined and developed since the establishment of the State, but which remain unfamiliar to much of the public, including many Torah-observant Jews.

The purpose of this book is to introduce readers to the principal foundations of the approach that views the integration of Torah and State in Israel as essential, through selected chapters from the halachic teachings of Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli zt”l.

Rabbi Yisraeli (5669-5755) served as the rabbi of Kfar HaRoeh, a member of the Supreme Rabbinical Court of Appeals, a member of the Council of the Chief Rabbinate, and Rosh Yeshiva of Mercaz HaRav. He was among the first to develop a comprehensive and systematic halachic approach to integrating Torah into the renewed State of Israel.

The book is divided into four sections. Each section presents Rabbi Yisraeli’s original articles on the relevant subject, together with halachic and historical background, explanations, and a concluding discussion comparing his approach with other halachic positions.

Edited by Rabbis Avraham Wasserman, Ariav Yost, Aryeh Katz, and Yisrael Shrir.
Chief Editor: Rabbi Yisrael Shrir.