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Asher Ishaayahu Ben Rivka
In the course of their discussion, the Rabbi says to the Khazar king: "Our knowledge of how man evolved from Adam, the first human being, is based upon the prophecy of Moses our Teacher. It was he who lifted the veil of the past by relating to us how the world was created, what the behavior of people was like before the Great Flood, in what manner the seventy nations derived from Noah's sons, how the varying tongues evolved, where different peoples settled, in what manner cities and kingdoms came into existence, and the world's age in his time."
Astonished, the Kuzari inquired, "Do you Jews really have an accurate figure for the age of the World?" The Rabbi responded saying, "Certainly we do. At present the world is 4,500 years old." (This, of course is not the present figure, but the approximate year in which the discussion between the Khazar king and the Rabbi took place. At present, we count 5253 years to the creation of the world.) The Torah records the events which transpired from the time of Adam, Seth, and Enosh, until the era of Noah, Shem, and Ever, up to the days of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, closing with Moses our Teacher, may he rest in peace.
The account of historical events provided by the Torah strengthens our faith in the accuracy of these very facts, for it is impossible to invent a history of the not-so-distant past which enjoys undivided approval of the masses, unless it is in fact true. Furthermore, the Jewish Sages are not ignoramuses who naïvely accept information they receive without first considering it and examining it closely, and becoming totally convinced of its reliability.
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
10 - 10. Israel's Uniqueness
11 - 11. Creation and History in the Torah
12 - 12. A History of the Divine
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The Patriarch Abraham lived in the time of the Tower of Babylon, when differing languages appeared in the world. He himself retained the language of his grandfather, Ever, and thus received the name Abraham "HaIvri." When Moses was active, about five hundred years later, humankind had already advanced to the point where it possessed precise knowledge of the workings of the heavens and the earth. It was in such an era that Moses stood before Pharaoh and the leading thinkers of Egypt. Even the wise men of Israel questioned and examined him most thoroughly before accepting his claims. It was not so easy to convince people that God speaks with man. Only when they themselves heard the voice of God relating the Ten Commandments did the Jews' faith become firm. They certainly would not have been willing to accept Moses claim that some five hundred years earlier there had been only one language in the world, viz. Hebrew, and that some nations could trace their genealogy back to Yefeth, others to Shem, and still others to Ham, unless it was in fact reliable. For, five hundred years is a relatively short period of time, and such a claim could be amply scrutinized.
The fact that the entire Jewish people accepted completely all of Moses' claims concerning the past, shows that these things were well founded and not given to doubt. And though we are in no need of external support, the truth of the Torah's historical account regarding the period from the first human being up until the time of Moses has been accepted from us by many peoples in both the Near East and the West, as is well known.
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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.
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)
