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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
[Chana asked for a child (Shmuel) whom she described as "an offspring of men". The gemara gives several explanations for what this might hint at. We will present Rav Kook’s commentary on three of them.] Rav said: a man among men. Shmuel said: an offspring who would anoint two men - Shaul and David ... The Rabbis said: an offspring who is "swallowed up" among men. Rav Dimi explained: neither tall nor short, neither dark nor light, neither smart nor dull.
A Man Among Men
(condensed from Ein Ayah, Berachot 5:30)
Ein Ayah: The righteous Chana’s whole goal was to have a son come from her who would save Israel and lead them on a path of life to make them Hashem’s Nation, now and in the future. Individual leaders can have a special characteristic, whether in the realm of the spiritual or the physical. However, Chana saw that the nation needed a more all-inclusive leader. This is only possible if the leader possesses diverse characteristics that are generally found among various different people. Then he can stand up to the diverse challenges of the generation and independently lead the collective nation. This is what is meant as a man among men.
An Offspring Who Will Anoint Two Men - Shaul and David
(condensed from Ein Ayah, Berachot 5:31)
Ein Ayah: We have explained elsewhere that a nation must be concerned about its welfare in the present and in the future. Usually when the two needs collide, each one is weakened by the influence of the other. The ideal situation is for each one to be strong as if the other does not exist. That is the characteristic that Chana prayed for in her son. He should be able to impact on the present as if there was no reason to worry about the future. This is illustrated by Shmuel’s anointing of Shaul, whose kingdom was to be short-lived and served only the needs of its time. In contrast, David’s kingdom is eternal and thus was complete in the area of the nation’s future level. This, according to this opinion in the gemara is the intention of the phrase, an offspring of men.
An Offspring Who Is Swallowed Up Among Men - Neither Tall nor Short, ...
(condensed from Ein Ayah, Berachot 5:33)
Ein Ayah: In order to impact on the generation, the leader must be close enough to the level of the generation in order to make an impact. Therefore, Chana was willing that her son’s personal shleimut would be compromised in order that he be integrated enough to be accepted. That is why she prayed that he physically be very average so that he could more easily make a lasting impact. It was not sufficient to her that he be impactful on the minority of people who would share his unusual characteristics.
[Editor’s note - Shmuel, who was brought up in the Mishkan, could hardly be described as having an average type of upbringing. Rather, the thesis seems to be that since spiritually he was to be exceptional, at least physically he should fit in.]
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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)
