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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Gemara:
Who is an am ha’aretz? Rabbi Eliezer says: whoever does not recite Kri’at Shema both in the day and in the night. Rabbi Yehoshua says: whoever does not put on tefillin. Ben Azai says: whoever does not have tzitzit on his garment. Rabbi Natan says: whoever does not have a mezuza on his entranceway. Rabbi Yonatan ben Yosef says: whoever has sons and does not raise them to be involved in Torah study.
Ein Ayah: There are general elements of service of Hashem and sometimes even more localized elements that bring about general gains in a Jew’s or any human’s morality, which, if a person acquires them properly, will protect him from moral deterioration.
In addition to all of the spiritual realizations that one may have reached, it is still necessary to consistently renew quickly his basic religious perceptions, so that they not be vague in his mind. That is why there is a need for Kri’at Shema twice a day, and this is why the gemara (Berachot 63b) says that if one misses Kri’at Shema one night, it is as if he never said it. When he does not renew the basic principles, perceptions that serve man’s external view of the world can start to grow dangerously.
Even this renewal, though, will not be effective in the long term as long as it is limited to the heart, emotion, and nature of a person. If the emotions are not acted upon, he may build the emotion on top of old content that is antithetical to the truth. For that purpose we have tefillin, which help the human heart and mind put their powers into effect in the proper Torah-based manner. Regarding cases where this is missing, the gemara (Berachot 6a) says that one who says Kri’at Shema without tefillin is like one who says false testimony about himself.
Furthermore, general morality must be connected to the full gamut of specific mitzvot and thereby obtain all of the proper characteristics a Jew eternally requires. That is why tzitzit are needed on the fringes of one’s clothing. A garment is external to the person, and the fringes are further to the edges. Yet, it is a reminder of the precise number of the entirety of mitzvot.
Despite all the above, the essence of man is his internal knowledge and understanding. We have explained that a mezuza is placed on a person’s entranceway to indicate that his restful stay within his home is a preparation for absorbing and deepening his thought, just as a person’s exit to the street and involvement in other people’s lives is for the broadening of his perception. The mezuza helps one focus all of his imagination, related to his activities, toward his internal understanding.
Finally, while all the above are preparations for the intellect, the foundation of everything is a person’s hopes and desires, the most important of which is the success of his children. The spiritual edifice is complete only when he strives to pass on the spirit of understanding and fear of G-d through the Torah he makes sure his children learn. Even if, for a variety of reasons, he has not succeeded in perfecting these values in himself, he should hope and work so that they become the future of his children.
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)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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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
