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- Articles about Hanukkah
One of the great and holy Russian Jewish refuseniks records in his memoirs his determination to light Chanuka lights while imprisoned in the Russian prison. Since he did not have a calendar - Jewish calendars were very rare in Communist Russia even for those not officially incarcerated in prison - he was unaware as to the exact dates of Chanuka. Nevertheless he was determined to light his little candle. He saved scrapings of the meager soap allowance granted him to use as fuel and tore threads from his prison uniform to serve as his wicks. And in a cold Russian prison he clandestinely lit his little light, hidden by his body from the KGB prison warders on a night that he hoped was Chanuka. A few years later when he reached Israel and related his story of the Chanuka light in prison a great rabbi informed him that he had performed the mitzvah limhadrin min hamehadrin - in the highest and most holy fashion possible. The darkness of the evil empire that was the Soviet Union was eventually overcome by the little lights kindled in the recesses of its prisons by Jews who believed in the power of good to overcome the forces of evil. In the eyes of Heaven so to speak a little light means a great deal. It displays our commitment to goodness and righteousness, tradition and holiness and is thus treasured dearly both in heaven and on earth. It is what gives Chanuka its special place in Jewish hearts and souls.
This week the Jewish world will light its little lights of Chanuka. Many have ornate silver menorahs to hold those little lights. Others will make do with more simple and modest candle holders. No matter, for it is not the candle holder that is the main object in the lighting of the Chanuka fires - it is the little light itself that carries all of the weight and importance of the holiday and its holy meaning. Once when my children were very young I explained to them that they should not feel badly that I was using an elaborate rabbinic silver menorah for my Chanuka lights while they had clay menorahs that they had made in school. One of my children assuaged my anxiety by saying: "Don’t worry, Daddy, my candle will burn as brightly as yours does!" How correct was that statement. It is after all the little lights that count. It is they that drive away the hopelessness and pessimism that the darkness of the surrounding world thrusts upon us. Chanuka comes to reinforce the good angels that lie within all of us. It teaches us that nothing is impossible in God’s world and that evil eventually will not prevail against us. Chanuka is the right holiday at the right time for us here in present day Israel. Let us always remember that a little light can truly overcome a great deal of darkness.
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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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)
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)
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
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
