YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ha'azinu
- Shabbat and Holidays
- The High Holidays
- The Month of Elul
All of Jewish history is contained within this week’s parsha. The parsha grants us a sense of perspective regarding current events and has the ability to vitalize us in our attempts to achieve physical and spiritual successes. But the prerequisite for all of this is the ability to listen, to recognize, and to learn from the words of Moshe.
In Tehilim we read that the Lord, so to speak, bemoans the inability or unwillingness of Israel to listen and to hear the Godly message. The verse says: "If my people would only listen to Me....and walk in My paths....then I would destroy their enemies and My hand would smite their enemies."
Apparently we could be spared all of the terror and doubtful peacemaking that currently characterizes our minds and emotions. The prophet Yeshayahu bitterly complains that the Lord has told him: "Stop up the ears of this people so they can hear no longer...lest they begin to understand and return [to Me] and be healed." One of the great keys to life is the ability to hear other opinions, to listen to valid criticisms, to be a true listener and not just a constant talker.
The covenant between God and Israel requires "pay attention" listening. Moshe previously in the book of Dvarim uses the word "haskeit" meaning "pay attention" to introduce subjects that he wants Israel to hear and listen to. The covenant is not merely background music to our lives and to current events. It is the single supreme factor that guides our lives and forms the events in the lives of Jews individually and the Jewish people nationally.
It was not for naught that Jewish children throughout the ages were required to memorize this parsha of Haazinu. This song is our constitution, our history and our destiny all rolled into a, relatively speaking, minimum amount of verses. The failure to realize this, to really pay attention to its words and prophesies, has exacted a terrible toll on our nation over these past many centuries, but especially so in the last century of Jewish experience.
We hear the covenant every day in our media and news reports but rarely do we put any of this in proper perspective - into the demands and consequences of the covenant’s enforcement by Heaven upon us. As we near the completion of our annual reading of the Torah we also hope that we are nearing the end of the enforcement of the negative parts of the covenant upon us. Great things are promised as part of this covenant to us and God’s promises certainly may be relied upon.
Parashat Hashavua Shabbat and Teshuva
Harav Shaul Yisraeli – condensed from Aroch Si’ach, pp. 238-242
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)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
