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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Jewish Holidays
- Tu Bishvat
But with the Etrog this isn't so, since the Etrog grows on all water, and therefore there is an opinion that it belongs to the year it is picked, like a vegetable. But at the moment we won't go into all the opinions and ramifications regarding the Etrog.
With regard to Maasrot, HaRav Eliyahu Gerditz and also HaRav Kook explain according to the Rambam, that the ripening which is mentioned is the time of the Maasrot, meaning the elementary growth of the fruit. The fruit's further growth is only in size, in volume, but its critical structural development was in this year. If the fruit is ripe enough to at least be edible, even though its size is minimal, then the fruit has reached its time of Maasrot, but if it is still unripe and inedible, for example, if the fruit is sour, this is still a deficiency. The fruit has to develop a minimum basis in size, but if it is totally unripe, then it is not something to be taken into account regarding Maasrot, as it has not yet ripened.
Trees, "Renew"
The determining date for trees is Tu B'Shevat, at that time there is a renewal. G-d created the world with an element of cycling; one cycle ends, and another, new cycle begins, and the same is true regarding Tishrei. Obviously, on a deeper level, inside of every renewal is a new vitality, new manifestations in creation. Just as we say that on Rosh Hashanah the man renews, and for him the significance is that he needs to adopt a better outlook on reality, similarly the renewal of the entire universe, the vegetation, and the fruit of the trees has its significance for them. This is the determining date for the New Year. The Torah established everything according to natural events: the new day begins with the emergence of the stars; we see that in nature a different day is beginning. The new month begins with the new moon; toward the end of the month the moon becomes veiled. And the New Year: the summer has ended, the hot days have passed, the days are getting shorter, and we see a change in nature. From then onwards we see something new.
All the laws of the Torah, Terumot and Maasrot of the different years of Maasrot - everything is determined according to the climate of the Land of Israel. The same is with the appearance of the new moon, and also the horizon is gauged (according to certain opinions) according to that of Jerusalem.
In the summer, in the "blessing of the years" we say, "And give a blessing on the face of the earth" (as opposed to asking for rain, which we do in the winter). Even if an entire country needs rain specifically during the summer, like France or Spain, the Shulchan Aruch rules that even in this case the Jews residing there shouldn't request rain in the "blessing of the years" but as a private petition - even for an entire country - in the blessing "You...who hears prayer" (where one is permitted to add private prayers). The reason for this is that our Sages formulated the eighteen blessings of the Amidah according to the needs of the Land of Israel, and since the Land of Israel needs rain in the winter and not in the summer, the universal prayer goes according to this, even if all of Europe needs rain in the summer.
The nations of the world, on the other hand, established their timetable arbitrarily. According to them, the new day begins at 12:00 at night. Why? Because by then they have finished the night's partying and can take the time to say Tikkun Hatzot...they don't take the moon into account at all, and they created the months arbitrarily.
The ancient Romans had the wisdom to begin their new year in March, because then all can see that the winter has passed and there is a change in nature. Afterwards came idolaters who believed that the "holy spirit" entered a certain individual in April and left him in the end of December. According to their "logic," nine are the months of the "holy spirit!" And because of that, they arbitrarily set their New Year in the dead of winter.
By the nations of the world, the year is set up arbitrarily, and by us, according to nature. There is a renewal for the trees beginning from Tu B'Shevat, as our Sages say, most of the year's rains have fallen and the trees have absorbed the precipitation and now they are exuding resin, with new vitality.
The idea which accompanies Tu B'Shevat is to see the renewal. He who thinks that everything is static doesn't get excited about anything. The rejuvenation in nature gives the man motivation for his own renewal, with a new way of thinking, and this awakens the man from his slumber. That is the way it is in nature, and that is the way it is regarding Rosh Hashanah in Tishrei, which is the Day of Judgment, and men must mend their ways, start a new page, renew. The general guidance is that a man is to be defined as "walking," not to stand in one place and not to stop at the level he has attained, but to continually advance. If there is advancement, the man ascends, but if he stays in the same place, he retreats backwards.
The "S'fat Emet" mentions over and over the subject of new vitality that a man receives on Rosh Hashanah for the entire year, and the trees undergo a similar process on Tu B'Shevat. In the Diaspora, Jews ate carob from the Land of Israel, because they didn't have anything else...
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
