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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Re'e
There is an old adage in English usage that "seeing is believing." The Talmud phrased this message as follows: "There is no comparison between hearing about something to actually having seen it." In this week’s parsha Moshe tells the Jewish people that the choices in life are not necessarily always those of faith and belief as much as they are of reality and experience. The truth of Torah and tradition is indicated in the clear history of the Jewish people and in the reality of its existence and survival. It is said that insanity is the pursuit of a goal by the same methods that have never succeeded before and yet pursuing the same methods over and over again. The problems of Jewish survival and growth are evident to all, here in Israel and wherever Jews live in the world. Clearly it should be evident to all that Jewish survival and growth is not accomplished by compromising Judaism to fit current political and social correctness which are societal fads that always shift with time and place. Simply scanning the debris of the wrecked ideas, ideologies and policies that dominated much of Jewish life over the past two centuries should convince the rational observer that Jews need more Judaism and not less and that the preservation of Jewish values and practices is the key to successful Jewish life and accomplishment. Seeing the success of tradition and its values in the preservation of the Jewish people against all odds and challenges should make all of us believers. Unfortunately that is still not the case.
The choices that Moshe poses for Israel to decide upon are very stark - life and death, blessings and curses, immortality and fleeting life. Moshe expects the Jewish people to choose wisely. He bases his hopes on the recollections of the past decades of Jewish life that he has led. Simply by remembering what they already know and have experienced should be /sufficient to guide the Jewish people on the path of wisdom and practicality. Our generation, having assessed and experienced all of the wrong turns in the road of Jewish history over the more recent past should surely know by now that loyalty to Torah, its scholars and teachers, is the key to our future success/ Yet Moshe is aware that the power of freedom of choice and the strength of physical desires are never to be underestimated. He knows in sadness that the Jewish people will not be realistic in its choices and that it will forget and ignore the lessons of its own history and collective experience. The pull of foreign cultures and overbearing physicality will influence them. Seeing will not be believing. And thus Moshe sets the stage for the bitter prophesies that will yet follow in this book of Dvarim. The bitter realties of persecution and unreasoning bigotry will awaken Israel to its true state of being and to its continuing mission as being God’s people. But by having proper sight and practical wisdom a great deal of national pain can certainly be avoided.
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)
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)
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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
