YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Terumah
As a rule, the Satan and the nations chide Bnei Yisrael about the chukim (laws without a clear reason). They leave us alone about the mishpatim (monetary laws), which seem understandable because they are similar to their laws. Yet, we can appreciate our system of justice when we see the form of justice that the nations employ (against us) in the UN. Our justice is intrinsically true, not like the humanly mandated justice to which some pay lip service.
Hashem "spoke" the Ten Commandments in such a manner that "shamor" and "zachor" and, actually, all of the commandments were said at the same moment. Why was there a need for such a miracle? The reason is to show that each commandment includes everything, and interconnected laws are intrinsically different from independently standing ones.
The pasuk says that "the land He gave to mankind" (Tehillim 115:16). However, if this "possession" emanates from "to Hashem is the land and all that is in it" (ibid. 24:1), then we will know that the world is only ours after we bless Hashem for that which we get from it (Berachot 35a). If we understand that we need permission from Hashem for our things, then we understand that if we steal food and then make a beracha on it, we are blaspheming Him (Bava Kama 94a). In effect, if we are not sure if something is stolen, then we do not know if it is "kosher" for us. Such is our view of monetary law.
Our monetary law system is different in another way. Moshe was told to place the laws before "them," that is, every individual Jew. Who has to be aware of the law of Jewish servants? Every individual, not just beit din. Each person has to be careful not to mistreat another. A dayan can rule only based on what he knows, and sometimes someone who is not correct can win with a lie or based on the rule that only with full proof can one extract money. Indeed, every individual has to be his own judge - to realize his obligations.
One should be afraid of receiving money he might not deserve. One can and should be concerned about his own needs. However, it is more important to strive that all the money he obtains is legitimately his and serves his internal, spiritual needs.
This is why we teach Jewish children monetary law (see Bava Kama 30a and the mishna, Bava Batra 10:8). The greatest wisdom is not being overly cunning regarding monetary concerns and not hiring sharp lawyers to gain undeserved advantage. If we do not see things this way, then we have adopted "mishpatim" in the manner of the nations. If this is the case, we are perverting justice, which should be a measuring stick of morality, and turning into a tool for accumulating wealth at all costs. The Torah expects more of us.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
