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Beit Midrash
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The Talmud describes for us the discussion between the House of Shammai and the House of Hillel regarding the praise and song that should be heaped upon a bride at her wedding celebration. The House of Shammai said that the praise should be proportionate to her real appearance, talents and virtues. The House of Hillel stated that all brides should be described as being beautiful, graceful and of kind nature. The House of Shammai thereupon questioned this judgment stating that the Torah bids us to be truthful and to refrain from obvious untruths and exaggerations. The House of Hillel responded: "One who purchases a non-returnable object from the open market and asks your opinion regarding it, should one praise the purchase or criticize it, thereby causing sadness and ill-feeling?" Jewish custom and behavior follows the opinion of the House of Hillel. Wisdom and tradition teaches us that absolute truth is not always mandatory in every and all circumstances of life. The halacha permits exaggeration and selective truth regarding the contents of eulogies of the deceased. Absolute truth can be searingly painful and terribly divisive in certain situations. The Talmud teaches us that the Lord abhors, so to speak, serial liars. Truth is an absolute value that should be aspired to and cherished in Jewish life. Nevertheless, it should be applied wisely and sometimes even sparingly in order to uphold the sacredness of harmony and peace in family and community.
The big lie is an unfortunate resident in modern society. All of the totalitarian governments of the last centuries developed the big lie into a permanent art form and a necessary feature of their cruelty towards their own people and others. Propaganda itself became the lifeline of tyrants and despots. The big lie struck at Jews more than at any other segment of society in Europe. Both Hitler and Stalin exploited it viciously and murderously. The current Moslem world is nurtured on the big lie regarding Jews, the State of Israel and Western civilization. And as has been so tragically proven the big lie, repeated often enough and forcefully enough, eventually is accepted by many as truth. Judaism therefore warns us against being seduced by lies. The Talmud teaches that falsehood eventually will not stand the test of time for it has no real basis to exist and maintain itself. We are taught that truth eventually springs forth from the ground itself like sproutings from seeds planted deep within the earth. Looking at the surface of the ground one only sees the falsehoods, the hypocrisies, the big lie that dominates all thought and policies. But deep within the nature of humans is the longing for truths and honesty, transparency and accountability, justice and fairness. And therefore eventually truth does will out and grow and blossom. From the bowels of the earth can be heard the declaration of the descendants of Korach - he who perpetrated the big lie against Moshe and Aharon - that "Moshe is true and his Torah is true." The struggle for truth continues in our generation as well.
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)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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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
