Yeshiva
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Tzav
This Shabat is the one that precedes the holiday of Pesach. It is called "Shabat Hagadol" - the great Shabat. In reality every Shabat is the great Shabat. There is no other concept in Judaism that carries with it so many commandments and obligations, so many do’s and don’ts, as does the Shabat. All attempts to "improve" the Shabat have proven to be self-defeating and eventually are unable to stand the rigors of time and circumstance. Shabat is great because it is the embodiment of Jewish commandments and discipline. Those who abide by its strictures and obligations taste the delight of that day, a foretaste of paradise itself. All of its prohibitions somehow lead to a true state of contentment and freedom. The greatness of Shabat is therefore inextricably bound with the concept of freedom. Shabat and Pesach march together in tandem throughout Jewish life. Shabat is therefore the great gateway to Pesach for by understanding and accepting the concept of "v’tizvanu" - of obeying commandments and fulfilling obligations we can achieve the freedom of soul that we all so desperately strive for. It is therefore no mere coincidence that the Torah reading of "Tzav" usually falls on the Shabat that precedes Pesach - Shabat Hagadol. Freedom comes with a purpose and a price. Being commanded is both the price and reward of achieving freedom.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Hosha'ana Rabba FLYDUBAI & HOSHANA RABBA- ANI VAHU HOSHIA NA- I & HIM SAVE US
"Ani vaHu Hoshia Na", "I and Him, Save Us". We don't just pray to Him, but we also pray to and for ourselves that we should emulate and educate our children to have that instinctive altruism with which He created the world. President Trump seemed amused about Yaniv Hayon, our PLUMBER who confidently worked with G-d like Superman (he learned from a pilot on a TV show!) to save 174 lives on the Dubai hijacking, but we in Israel are totally accustomed already 78 years to our plumbers, teachers, garbage-men, rabbis, farmers & doctors being Hashem's shlichim! This is what Zionism is about.
Moreshet Shaul Hashem Is your Shadow – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 420 – an address from 1941
