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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
The navi speaks words of consolation: "Go and call out in the ears of Yerushalayim: ‘So says Hashem: I have recalled the kindness of your youth, the love of your time of marriage, when you went out to the desert, to a land not sewn’ " (Yirmiya 2:2). One can ask: did Yerushalayim go to the desert? The simple explanation is that the pasuk refers to Yerushalayim’s residents, whose forebears went out to the desert. Parenthetically, there are parallel p’sukim (31: 1-2) that talk about the early commitment of the nation and the love Hashem maintains for it. As a result, the navi promises liberation for the kingdom of Shomron and a return to Yerushalayim (ibid.:5).
Another explanation of Yerushalayim in the desert is brought in Kol Hator in the Gra’s name. The pasuk does refer to Bnei Yisrael’s following Hashem into the desert and Hashem’s remembering of them even as the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash grew near. However, Yerushalayim in the pasuk is the heavenly one (shel ma’ala). It is our job at this busy time in the Jewish calendar to turn everything into Yerushalayim shel ma’ala. The Gra informed us that "Yerushalayim shel ma’ala," "Knesset Yisrael," and "sefirat ha’omer" all have the same gematria (1071). We can elevate everything at matan Torah after the 49 days of sefirat ha’omer. Based on these connections it turns out that Yerushalayim shel ma’ala accompanied Bnei Yisrael in the times of their wandering already in the desert even though the earthly Yerushalayim was acquired only at the time of David.
David coined the phrase, "the rebuilt Yerushalayim, like a city that was connected together" (Tehillim 122:3). According to the Gra, this connection is between the heavenly and earthly elements of the city. As Midrash Tehillim says, Hashem said that He would not enter the upper Yerushalayim until He enters the lower one. The lower one took time, as Yehoshua conquered only part of it and it took time for David to determine that this was the "place that Hashem will choose from all of your tribes to place His Name there" (Devarim 12:5). It was David who dedicated his life to finding the permanent resting place for the Divine Presence (see the beautiful description in Tehillim 132) and united Yerushalayim shel ma’ala and Yerushalayim shel mata.
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)
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)
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.
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
