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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
When Rabbi Yitzchak came, he said: There was one city in Eretz Yisrael called Gufaniyot, in which eighty pairs of brothers who were kohanim were married to eighty pairs of sisters who were the daughters of kohanim. The Rabbis checked from Sura to Naharda’a (two important cities in Bavel) and found only the daughters of Rav Chisda who were married to Rami and Mar Ukva, the sons of Chama, and while those sisters were the daughters of a kohen, the brothers were not.
Ein Ayah: The situation of a family when it is in a state of tranquility is an accurate sign of the nation’s completeness in ethics and good personal characteristics. Therefore, it is a wonderful to see the completeness of our forefathers’ holy attributes through the following observation.
It is normal that if a woman is not happy in her husband’s house, her sister will not want to marry her sister’s brother-in-law. When parents see their daughter happy, they and their other daughter will be interested in pursuing another match between the families. This is a high level to reach, and it is especially noteworthy that the families involved were kohanim, as they naturally have strong tempers (see Kiddushin 70b, based on Hoshea 4:4). Despite that, eighty couples of kohanim lived in such bliss that their siblings wanted to marry from the same family.
The foundation of familial peace within the nation is a life of modesty. Therefore, the greater the fear of Hashem and holy purity that exist within the nation, the greater the bliss that will exist within families. It is thus appropriate that the name of the city was Gufaniot, which reminds us of the Rabbis statements that grapes can only accept grafting from other grapes and that "the grapes of the vine and the grapes of the vine" (references to the marriage of children from two good families) is a proper matter (Pesachim 49a).
The interconnectedness of families is also a good sign of the physical and spiritual health with which Hashem blessed His nation when they dwell in completeness in the Land. This is because we know scientifically that when there is health within a family, children of two parents from the same family (if they are not so close that there is incest) are likely to be particularly healthy. On the other hand, when the family has illnesses within it, then the chances of problems with the children are much greater. When kohanim are careful to marry specifically from a family of kohanim, there is usually marriage within an extended family. We see that in the cases in question, the children turned out nicely, or else they would not have continued the practice so often. This shows that there was a completeness of the body and the spirit, which comes from following the Torah, which is a tree of life for those who cling to it.
This ideal personal and family setup is possible only when people are settled in the special Land that Hashem picked out for His nation according to its spiritual makeup. In the Diaspora, the nation cannot rise to such an ideal state. That is why this phenomenon was not found within the communities of Bavel. In the one case where brothers married sisters, only the sisters were from a kohen family. As mentioned, kohanim by nature have volatile personalities, and therefore only with excellent upbringing can they live harmoniously as couples. The attributes of kohanim are certainly more felt in the males, as they are the ones with the special status with all of its halachic and functional uniqueness. Therefore, those successful marriages involved only female kohanot and not male kohanim. Only in Eretz Yisrael does the sanctity allow for charm, peace, and good fortune, allowing for such tranquil families for the nation as a whole.
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
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)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
