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When a person makes an appraisal of his life, he often finds that that he is missing some sort of satisfaction. He may think that he needs to work hard to acquire something else that will make him happy. But for so many people, it just never happens. It can be like a child who is trying to reach the end of the horizon, with the problem being that as he walks, the horizon keeps on changing and never becomes reachable. The greatest blessing is to understand that we should not be looking for the blessing elsewhere, but that the healthy lifestyle we are leading, "listening to Hashem," is itself the blessing.
The gemara (Gittin 68a) tells of a magician who was looking for a treasure at the edge of the world and did not know that he was standing on the treasure. So many people are searching high and low and working so hard at things that will not bring them the real satisfaction that is readily attainable from within and from nearby: a daf of gemara, a perek of mishna, parashat hashavua with Rashi. It is much easier and less strenuous than one thinks.
The midrash (Kohelet Rabba 6:1) illustrates the idea of the pasuk "and also the soul will not be filled" (Kohelet 6:7) as follows. It is like the simple city dweller who marries a princess. If he brings her all of the things in the world that he has access to, they will not be worth anything to her because she is a princess. Our soul demands nourishment, but we provide it with physical food, which it cannot digest because our soul is spiritual.
This Shabbat we proclaim the coming of the month of Elul, which Chazal connect to the pasuk, "Should the shofar be sounded in the city and the people will not tremble?" (Amos 3:6). Elul is here to shake us out of our complacency regarding our spiritual state. For those who have decided that their path cannot be questioned, it is a matter of raising the question of whether that should really be the case. "Maybe I am not always right." In this way it is a preparation for the Ten Days of Repentance, a preparation that takes three times as long as the repentance itself. We must realize that we can be wrong because if we cannot be wrong, we cannot sin or need repentance. If we can break the wall of complacency, we might be able to see the ugly truth, and then we can know what we have to repent for.
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: 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)
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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
