Yeshiva
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayigash
Every human event has consequences that are much more long lasting and important than originally thought. Since we all live in a time range that is limited, far reaching results of our behavior are naturally hard to discern and appreciate. If the brothers of Yosef would have realized that their behavior towards him would centuries later lead to the breakup of the Jewish kingdom in the Land of Israel perhaps they would have acted differently as perhaps Yosef himself might have towards them as well. It is not for naught that the rabbis taught us that the true wise man is the person who can realize the future consequences of present policies and behavior. This idea is also the basic underpinning of the rabbis’ other comment that even the wise must be very cautious in their statements for unintended and unforeseen consequences may result from their words and actions. Many times these consequences are exactly the opposite of what was originally desired. The rabbinic ban on Spinoza immortalized him just as the ban against Chasidut turned into making it the most popular Jewish religious movement in Eastern Europe. Yosef and his brothers, like all of us, are powerless to undo the past. But in realizing the fissure that the events of the past created in Jewish life a special attempt at true reconciliation must be attempted. It would take the slavery of Egyptian exile and the redemption from there to achieve this unity that was expressed at the moment of revelation at Sinai. Troubles unite us. We should learn to live together in harmony even in more trouble free times.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Various Events FOR WHOM NOT TO VOTE
Rav Zvi Yehuda Kook stressed that Israeli politics is G-dly, so I have no problem answering this common question on a Torani blog. Also, Free-Will is a G-d-given right and obligation, to "destine one's fate" (R. Soloveichik, Kol Dodi Dofek, 67), so I obviously don't tell others how to vote. But once not a few (especially young) have already asked, a couple of personal words from experience and thoughts from chazal & Rav Kook which may be of help to others, mainly for whom NOT to vote.
P'ninat Mishpat Fallout from Failure to Install Elevator – part II
based on ruling 85007 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
