YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah (8:6): Completeness can be broken into different categories: the completeness of the collective and the completeness of the individual.
The first level is for a person to make serious efforts to be included in the collective. Then, even if he does not reach the level of quality of character making him deserving of great things, he still gains from being part of the collective. There is a very high level that only a few particularly noble people reach, where their high quality is important even as an individual, without the need to be viewed as part of the collective.
Beit Shammai viewed the beracha on light as being connected to the few special individuals whom Torah is capable of bringing to the highest level. About such individuals, we find statements like the following by Chazal. That which is written, "of the stream of your indulgences (adanecha) you shall give them to drink" (Tehillim 36:9) should be read as "Edenecha," implying that every one (great person) receives his own lodgings in Gan Eden according to his [spiritual] honor. It is appropriate for such great people to make the beracha by themselves.
Beit Hillel felt that the beracha is focused on bringing the nation as a whole toward completeness. Therefore, communal involvement in the broadest manner is greatly desired. This is alluded to by the pasuk, "With a multitude of the nation, it is grandeur for the King." Referring to Hashem as King is appropriate because our recognition of Hashem comes through our understanding of our world. In such matters, bringing people together for that purpose is always good. The gemara says that Beit Hillel’s reason is known because "the honor of kings is to investigate a matter" (Mishlei 25:2). In our context, this means that when something is known by a mass of people together it is fit to be understood by all.
Beit Shammai’s idea needs explanation, and that is that we are concerned with the cessation of study in the beit midrash. It is worthwhile for people to know that there is an especially high level which one can obtain through Torah study, which by itself is able to raise a person to a state where he does not need to be connected to the masses in order to reach his desired level. These are the type of rare individuals about whom one can say that the world was created for people like him. The quality of his existence is such that he is considered like a world unto himself.
Ein Ayah (8:7): It is customary to say "marpeh" in order to strengthen the love and cohesiveness of the group. It is appropriate to do so when one is sneezing because that is something that heals the sick (see Berachot 57b). The need to strengthen love based on passing remarks is needed only when a person has not reached a full understanding. When it is reached, being aware of the importance of the welfare of others is a given. Therefore, Beit Shammai put the stress on the continuation of learning, in which case, they did not feel it was necessary to interrupt it for a matter of manners as a part of group dynamics.
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
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
P'ninat Mishpat A Non-Contractor in Changing Times – part II
(based on ruling 85128 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Moreshet Shaul Hashem Is your Shadow – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 420 – an address from 1941
Parashat Hashavua Happiness for the Right Reasons
[With painful longing, we share these divrei Torah from our co-Rosh Kollel for close to 40 years, Harav Moshe Ehrenreich zt”l.]
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.
