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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
Aharon had four sons: Nadav, Avihu, Elazar, and Itamar. The first two were killed when acting inappropriately before Hashem. Elazar succeeded his father and helped divide Eretz Yisrael among the generation that entered the Land. His son, Pinchas, received a covenant of eternal priesthood due to his zealousness in defending Hashem’s honor. His extremely long reign as spiritual leader spanned the majority of the period of the Judges. He apparently lost the kehuna gedola as a result of spiritual downturns accompanying civil wars at the time of pilegesh b’Giva and that of Yiftach.
During the next period, Itamar’s descendants held the kehuna gedola. First Eili ran the Mishkan’s operations in Shilo. His sons, Chofni and Pinchas, were killed in battle, as were other kohanim soon thereafter. However, Eili’s descendant, Achiya, served during Shaul’s reign (Shmuel I, 14:3). It is apparently his brother, Achimelech, who was killed along with many other kohanim in Nov, by Shaul’s decree, when they appeared to support David. Evyatar, Avimelech’s son, wandered in exile with David.
It is not surprising that after all of these tragedies to Itamar’s family, when David made a census of the kohanim and formed 24 shifts of service, 16 of them came from Elazar’s family. The reemergence of the house of Elazar was completed when Shlomo removed Evyatar from office, after which time the kehuna gedola always rested in the family of Tzadok, a descendant of Elazar.
The choosing of a family of kohanim gedolim follows a trend of choosings that shaped the way our nation serves Hashem. Eretz Yisrael was chosen from the lands, and Jerusalem from its cities. The Beit Hamikdash was chosen among Jerusalem; Aharon was chosen as the kohen and David’s family as kings. What is interesting is that Tzadok’s choice is linked to the choice of Jerusalem. In the wake of Avshalom’s rebellion, David fled Jerusalem, and Tzadok wanted to accompany him. David told him to return because if he, David, would merit returning to his throne, it would be, of necessity, in Jerusalem. David saw that, in any case, Tzadok must be linked to Jerusalem and remain there. On that day, Evyatar tried unsuccessfully to access the urim v’tumim and Tzadok emerged as the permanent choice as the progenitor of the kehuna gedola.
As our haftara shows, along with the eternal nature of the choice of Jerusalem, the prominence of the family of Tzadok is also eternal.
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
