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The Wise Rabbi explains this by way of analogy, saying, "Let us say that you were told that the King of India is a man of great kindness and that you ought to respect him, glorify him and relate his acts of generosity. The proof of this is in the fact that the subjects of his kingdom are righteous, kind, and honest. Would the fact that the people of India are good people obligate you to praise the King of India? Would you feel a necessity to do this?"
The King answered saying, "Why should I feel this way? To begin with, how can I be sure that the King of India is righteous? Perhaps the people of India alone are righteous. Perhaps there is no King of India at all. And even if there were a king, and a righteous one at that, why should this fact obligate me to tell about him? What good does it do me?"
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
5 - 5. Historical Proof
6 - 6. Gifts From the King of India
7 - 7. The Reliability of Tradition
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The Khazar king responded, "Certainly, for by virtue of all of this it would have become absolutely clear to me that there is a King of India - a great and virtuous king, who has done such good for me. In light of all of this, his rule and his direction would certainly be to my benefit."
"And," continued the Rabbi, "were someone to inquire, how would you describe the King of India?" The Khazar king responded, "I would describe him according to my familiarity with him, according to those items that he had sent me, and all which he had done for me. Next, I would bring as additional support the fact that the people of India are a kind people. This demonstrates that the King of India is a man of kindness and deserving of honor and respect."
"This, then," said the Wise Rabbi to the Khazar king, "is exactly what I answered you when you asked me concerning my faith. Moses acted similarly when he came to speak before Pharaoh. He did not say to him, 'The God of the heavens and the earth sent me,' and he did not say, 'My and your Creator sent me.' Rather, Moses said to Pharaoh, 'The God of the Jews has sent me to you.' That is, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, for the Forefathers were well known among the nations, and it was well known that God had spoken to them and provided for them, and performed wonders for them. For this reason, then, Moses did not say to Pharaoh, 'The God of the heavens and the earth has sent me to you,' and not, 'My and your Creator has sent me to you.' He did not say something that could not be proven. Rather, he said things which were indisputable and known to all."
"I responded in a similar manner when you asked me concerning my faith. I told you of that which has become clear to us Jews beyond all doubt. I told you concerning the things that we saw with our own eyes - that is, that which our ancestors saw - for this is what obligates us right up until today. These things have been handed down to us via firm and unshakable tradition. Such tradition is just like eyewitness account - as if we ourselves had seen with our own eyes God's revelation to our ancestors. Therefore, I said to you that we believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who took us out of Egypt, etc."
Regarding the reliability of tradition, we shall speak in our next discussion.
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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.
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The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
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(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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: 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)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
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.
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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.
