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Beit Midrash
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Commentaries struggled with the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart, as it should have exempted him from punishment. The Rambam (Teshuva 6:3) says that the hardening was part of the punishment. However, it is difficult why he needed the hardening, as there was so much to punish for in his past behavior. The Ramchal (Derech Hashem 5:1) explains that the "image of G-d" that man has means that man can reach levels that are innate to the Divine by wrestling with and subduing the evil inclination. One of the inclination’s trick’s is to blind the person so that he should not see alternative actions, like a drug addict who stops believing that he can stop being a drug addict. When we infer from the Torah that certain sins pollute the heart, it means that one stops sensing the battle and happily continues to do the sin without noticing the alternatives.
We distinguish between people who act properly and run to good things and those who unfortunately run to bad things (Berachot 28b). One who has developed a proclivity to sin is like one who runs to sin and thereby creates a dependency on sin. The worst thing is for one to become like a robot who can no longer decide on his actions but is almost forced into the actions or like an addict who knows he is destroying himself but cannot stop.
It is actually the performance of sins that makes the person’s heart hard, as one sin brings on another until the sinner develops an ideology of sin that denies other approaches. He forgets the idea of being able to strive for being in the "image of G-d." But man is in the image of G-d, as Hashem breathed into us a "soul of life" (Bereishit 2:7). Moshe repeated over and over in Sefer Devarim that we have freedom to choose goodness.
This is what the Torah meant by "because in the desires of my heart I shall go." The sinner says that he will not be punished because there is no alternative to the way he is acting, as he is addicted. The fact that he acted as he wanted pushed him into that position. Therefore, that which infuriates Hashem is the statement that I will follow what I want, for from that point on, there appears to be little hope to do otherwise.
However, hope in the form of teshuva (repentance) always exists and, in fact, is close and "in your mouth and heart to do it" (Devarim 30:14). If we can look past the façade that the evil inclination spreads out before us we will see that the path to repentance is much closer than we could see.
thieves, and we are just returning to reclaim it.
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)
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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)
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
