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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Fortunate is he who ... grew with a good name and expired from this world with a good name.
Ein Ayah: The point of having a name is not for the sake of the person himself. After all, a person does not need to use his name in relation to himself. Rather, it is necessary for him to have a name so that others can use it to refer to him. We learn from the story of Iyov as well [the gemara’s statement was said at a siyum on Sefer Iyov] that every person of a high moral standing is obligated not only to reach personal shleimut (completeness) but must involve himself in the shleimut of others. This involvement in others’ self improvement is the matter of a good name.
The impact one has on others can grow increasingly greater as the generations progress. Sometimes the words of a wise man are not accepted by the people of his generation, as they may not recognize his greatness or delve into his words as they might have. Therefore, his ideas are not able to have their full potential impact on people’s shleimut in his lifetime. Rather, in future generations, when the jealousy and the over-familiarity, which blind the eye, subside, then his words will become clear and many will follow his light.
This is what Shlomo said in his wisdom: "A name is better than good oil" (Kohelet 7:1). Good oil is a reference to those who are anointed, which means that their generation agreed to accept their leadership. Sometimes, those leaders have an impact only on their generation and in their lifetime. However, for the wise man, whose main contribution is to bring shleimut to the masses, the day of death is greater than the day he was born. That is because after his death, his light can shine brightest, as his good ideas, which he left for future generations, either in his writings or by means of the students whom he "nursed from the breasts" of his wisdom, are absorbed by others.
Dedication to Advance
(based on Berachot 2: 54-55)
Gemara:
Make a firm decision with all of your heart and soul to know My ways and to remain diligently by My doorways on a daily basis.
Ein Ayah: This comes to exclude the opinions of those who say that knowledge of the ways of Hashem comes specifically by analyzing that which exists without trying to purify their actions to go in the way of Hashem. That is why it says that to know Hashem, one should make a decision with all of his heart and soul toward that end. One will not succeed in knowing Hashem's way without making a clear decision in his heart to fulfill all of the matters of morals and ethics that emanate from one's philosophical inquiries.
Diligence (sh'kida) is a sign of consistency. The idea behind being constantly by Hashem's doorway is related to what the Rambam said (introduction to Moreh Nevuchim). Sometimes a person will have a brilliant intellectual insight that will light the way of one who seeks truth, while most of the time he walks in intellectual darkness. Therefore, it pays that he should always be by the doorway, for the door is that which closes off the otherwise exposed area. A person should try to understand even if there is a closed door in between him and understanding. If he does this every day, then he will merit that at certain times the door will open for a moment, and he will see precious light.
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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.
