YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Noach
Enter the ark. The ark symbolizes not only the salvation of one person and his family from the ravages of the flood but it more importantly symbolizes the ability to rise above our fears and innate pessimism and salvage the purpose of our lives from pessimism and nihilism. As a reinforcement of this idea of a saving ark there is also the natural phenomenon of the rainbow which represents an eternal covenant between humankind and the Creator that the flood will not recur. This rainbow is not to be misinterpreted or its impact to be exaggerated. We have no guarantees against recurring disasters, natural and man made, wars and strife, but we do have a promise that somehow human life will continue. It is therefore incumbent upon us to make that life productive, meaningful and in a true sense, eternal as well. The ark was and is the will of humankind to not only survive the omnipresent threat of the flood but somehow to overcome its dangers and attempt to reinforce the rainbow and not be distracted by the false messages of unrealistic hopes on one hand and the prophets of impending doom on the other hand. Every generation is charged with the task of building an ark for itself anew. It is also instructed to teach the message of the rainbow to the next generation, to implant belief, tradition, values and a concern for others into the lives of those that will follow us here on earth.
All of this is true for humankind generally. It certainly is true for the Jewish people particularly. Israel, world Jewry generally, finds itself hemmed in by enemies and beset by great problems. We are the only people targeted openly by others for a great flood to befall us. The world apparently is unaware that the fate of all is tied in inextricably with the fate of the Jews. One would have thought that the story of the twentieth century and its horrendous events would have made this lesson clear to all. Obviously this is not the case. But we Jews have to nevertheless continue building our ark. This little seemingly flimsy ark has withstood all of the floods that time has thrown against us. We should revitalize ourselves, dream great dreams again, see the great picture and not concentrate so much on the picayune details which so blind us to our accomplishments and goals. We have to rebuild ourselves anew but without discarding the treasures of our past. God promised the Jewish people a new heart and the ability to rise to all challenges. And above all we must educate our generation and future generations to observe the rainbow which is reflected in the Torah and our teachings and traditions. Jewish ignorance, hedonism and worshipping false idols that mask themselves as being somehow the greater good are the real flood that threatens our future existence and success. The rainbow teaches us that our ark is waterproof and those generations and individuals wise enough to enter it will surely succeed in avoiding all permanent floods and disasters.
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)
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.
