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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Why were ahalim [apparently to be read like ohalim (tents)] compared to streams (in Bamidbar 24:6)? It is to teach you that just as streams take a person from impurity to purity, so too tents [of Torah] bring a person up from a position of spiritual deficiency to a position of merit.
Ein Ayah: The fact that a person is purified from any type of impurity through the medium of water hints at a spiritual concept. The impurity of a person’s actions, attributes, and opinions all come from his failure to view himself, as an individual in the world, as a visitor and not a permanent dweller. As such, he should use things that he finds in the world only for the purpose of furthering himself in regard to his lofty, eternal goals.
This is why it is appropriate to envelop oneself in water, which shows a person that his position is to be seen as transient. After all, a person cannot remain permanently under water, but only for a short time and by means of some preparation. A person should use that realization to help him understand that also in regard to his stay on earth, which sits on top of water, he is just a visitor. He should yearn to make his main goal to obtain goodness, wisdom, justice, and straightness, which are everlasting.
This same idea applies to tents, which is a catchphrase that hints at a setting to absorb wisdom. This is a temporary structure, which brings one to lead his life in the most appropriate manner, enabling the coarse images of his permanence in this physical world to be removed. Only based on the study of Torah and the logic of wisdom will his view in this matter be perfected and will he go from a negative to a meritorious state by which he concentrates on everlasting things. In addition to the improvement of his attributes that come through study, when he uses his mind to determine what things are good for him to do, being set in "tents" brings upon whoever comes to enjoy its shade a holy natural emotion. As such, his feelings will go from being coarse to being elevated and holy, just as one who enters the water for immersion comes out pure, as the perfect Torah sets down for us as a holy rule.
Remembering the Value of Things One is Not Involved in
(based on Ein Ayah, Berachot 2:15)
Gemara:
Rabbi Ami and Rabbi Assi were tying together a wedding canopy for Rav Elazar. He said to them: "In the meantime, let me go and hear something in the beit midrash" ... He came back and told them [the halacha that he had learned]. They said to him: "Had we come only to hear that thing it would have sufficed for us."
Ein Ayah: From these complete words we learn the ways of righteousness in two elements. One is that even when one is preoccupied with the happiness of his heart, he should still look toward the Torah and consider even a little idea that he will be able to pick up as a great fortune. This we see from Rav Elazar’s desire to hear something and to share it with the others.
From the statement: "Had we come only to hear that thing it would have sufficed for us," we learn that even when one is busy with a good thing, even a big mitzva, it is still proper not to forget the dearness of valuable things that he cannot be involved in then and to appreciate them. For even when they were involved in the mitzva of helping others and preparing for the mitzva of a marriage, they expressed their excitement about a new Torah idea. This comes from a heart that is broad and full of the love of Hashem and His Torah. This is in contrast to "small people," who, when involved in a good deed and mitzva, say that there is no value to other things and do not recognize the good that extends over an endless expanse, for "your mitzva is very broad" (Tehillim 11:96).
Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
Igrot Hare’aya Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part IV
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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)
