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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: There are two possible ways to contemplate the greatness of Hashem in a manner that will bring a person to true love and awe of Him. One is to look in a scientific way at His complete actions, which are arranged in wisdom, kindness, justice, and straightness.
The second way is by having the scientific look lead to an emotional look, so that one yearns to love Hashem and be in awe of His loftiness and glory. It is true that by taking a scientific look, one does not normally come to understand Hashem’s essence. However, by allowing one’s heart to imagine and one’s spirit to desire, a coveting [of a connection] for the One who created all of these elements of nature can sprout forth.
The question is how a person should guide himself in this regard. Is it enough for a person to take an intellectual approach alone, allowing the internal excitement of the spirit to come on its own? Or, must he cognitively focus on the information with an eye toward creating a yearning for a connection to the very essence of Hashem’s glory that is loftier than any knowledge. Such a feeling cannot be known or calculated because it is beyond any calculation.
This is the difference between "hamotzi" and "motzi." Motzi (who took out) relates to the One who acted only from the perspective of His action alone, without getting into His characteristics. This represents our being interested in recognizing the significance of the action alone (in this case, the development of the grain that was turned into bread). By saying hamotzi (the One who took out), with the letter ה serving as an article, we touch on the internal, emotional element of seeking out the glory of Hashem from the perspective of Hashem Himself who did the action. His actual glory is greater than all the grandeur we can picture by contemplating His actions alone. This understanding of the heart is an outcome of the internal light in the nature of the human spirit. It becomes activated when we remove the roadblocks that impede it, allowing it to naturally go up to its glorified place. This experience is referred to by such p’sukim as "My soul is thirsty for You; my flesh yearns for You" (Tehillim 63:2).
We accept the opinion that hamotzi also applies to the past, thus making it true to the simple, external meaning of the beracha, which is to thank Hashem for producing the grain. This is something that all people are able to relate to. Since one does not detract from this basic meaning, there is great gain to adding the ה, thereby arousing those who have wise hearts to contemplate the greatness of their Maker with as clear a view as they are capable of. In that way, they can jump from the action to the One who acted and from the past into the future.
Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
Ein Ayah Joined Elements that Separated in the Spiritual Fall
condensed from Ein Ayah, Shabbat 9:72-9:73
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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
