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Beit Midrash
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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Hana Bat Chaim
But whatever approach we take on that important issue, the Torah seems to put a lot of stress in this mitzva on the house. "When you build a new house." Halachically, it doesn’t have to be new (Shulchan Aruch, Choshen Mishpat 427:1)!? "You shall not place blood in your house." Why not write that one should not be responsible for another’s death? "Should the one who falls fall from it." Obviously we are talking about falling from it? Why not mention what will happen to him if he falls?
It is likely that the Torah is stressing that the point of making a fence for the roof is more than a precautionary step to prevent tragedy. Rather, building the fence helps define the house. When one builds the fence, the house is as if new, even if it has been standing for decades. It is a house that transmits outwards that life has value and must be safeguarded. It is the potential for falling off, as much as any eventuality, Heaven forbid, which makes a house lacking precautions "a bloody house."
In this way, the fence and any other elements of safety that exist in the house are parallels to the mezuzah. The mezuzah is a sign that the house must protect those within from spiritual dangers, trying to ensure that all that enters the doorway conforms to the basic truths of our religious foundations. So too, the fence exhibits a concern for the physical welfare of those who live in the house or come to visit there.
The two concerns must go hand in hand. The spiritual concern is not sufficient if one does not have a healthy respect for the gift of life. But the world’s strongest and safest fortress is not of true value if it does not allow one who is safeguarded in it to live his life in a significant manner.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
