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Beit Midrash
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- Passover - Pesach
Salvation from our enemies is an eternal requirement of the survival of the Jewish people. If we wished to we could declare a Purim holiday many times through the year to mark the salvation of Jewish communities throughout the world and the ages. Salvation is a constant companion of the Jewish people. Redemption is a much rarer commodity. We still await the ultimate redemption promised to us by the great prophets of Israel millennia ago. For redemption has this strong spiritual dimension to it and without this advancing and nobility of spirit redemption is only further delayed and postponed. Whereas Purim prefers a somewhat befuddled brain to mark our salvation from Haman Pesach requires clarity of thought and intensity of soul. Redemption comes from the inside while salvation arrives always from the outside and often if not most times unexpectedly, unplanned and illogically. Thus salvation can occur immediately and surprisingly. Not so redemption which requires planning, forethought, training and education. Purim requires relatively little preparation - it almost just descends upon us. Pesach requires a month or more of preparation and readiness because our souls have to become attuned to the ideas and goals of redemption. And that is usual a matter of great effort and struggle. It does not happen automatically or by itself. This period of time between Purim and Pesach is meant to remind us of this important lesson and to allow us to concentrate ourselves on preparing not only for salvation but rather for redemption.
The national independence of the Jewish people as personified in the existence of the State of Israel is alone insufficient to bring us a feeling of redemption. Since the state and the people of Israel generally are still a work in progress we can only continue to struggle towards our ultimate goal of the final redemption of Israel and the world at large. Every good deed, every act of social justice carries with it a message of redemption being brought nearer. No act of kindness and goodness, no matter how slight and minor we may consider it to be, escapers Heaven’s notice. It marks another step on our road to ultimate redemption. Therefore the laws of Pesach as recorded for us in Shulchan Aruch begin with the requirement to donate to the cause of the poor so that they may also enjoy a bountiful Pesach. Every Jewish holiday requires acts of charity and goodness towards others. It highlights the redemptive qualities of our holidays and of traditional Jewish life as lived over millennia. Purim also requires charity and its purpose there as everywhere is to move pure salvation to the level of redemption. One can only redeem one’s self by aiding others in need of help. Salvation saves one’s self. Redemption can save an entire world. Pesach, the holiday of redemption is fast upon us. Let us prepare properly for its joyous arrival.
The Wisdom of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein Pesach, Matzah and Maror
The Wisdom of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (17) - Pesach
Passover - Pesach Example of Shifting Gears to Build a Jewish Nation
Erev Pesach which Falls on Shabbat
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
