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Beit Midrash
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On the first day of Pesach, we stop praying for rain and even praising Hashem for it. The severely prohibited chametz comes from a meeting between grain and water. Some groups even keep water away from matza after it is baked. The miracles around the liberation culminate with Bnei Yisrael going through the sea in dryness.
On Sukkot, so much is related to water. The shaking of the lulav is a way to pray for an abundance of rain in the upcoming season. Aravot are identified by the Torah as growing on streams, and the hadas leaves are shaped like rain drops. Hitting the aravot and the Hoshana prayers are related to requests for rain. In the Beit Hamikdash, there were libations of water only on Sukkot, as all year wine was poured, and this was accompanied by the Simchat Beit Hasho’eva activities, which were particularly joyous events.
There is another major contrast between Pesach, when we distance ourselves from water, the universal sign of life, and Sukkot. Pesach is observed within the house, where the Korban Pesach must be eaten in a group. Not only might goyim be insulted by the verses of Shefoch Chamatcha, but they cannot partake with us in the wine and the Korban Pesach. In contrast, on Sukkot, we go out of the normal house, with its firm walls, into an incomplete structure. We are much more universalistic in thought, as we read about hosting the nations of the world in Yerushalayim in our future Beit Hamikdash (see Zecharya 14).
It is interesting that Ezra, who put a lot of focus in his public work, on separating Bnei Yisrael from the nations that had settled in Eretz Yisrael and strengthening the hold on Yerushalayim, began his journey to the Land in the beginning of the month of Nisan (Ezra 7:9). In contrast, Shlomo celebrated the opening of the first Beit Hamikdash specifically on Sukkot (Melachim I, 8:2), and in his address stresses his universalistic dreams for the holy structure.
Let us hope that we will merit that Am Yisrael will experience the holiday of our freedom in a spirit of proper balance between the factors that bring us to gather in and those that bring us to have influence on the outside world.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
