YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Nitzavim
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Hana Bat Chaim
This brit is the third covenant in the Torah. The first covenant was the Brit Bein Hab’tarim, at the time of Avraham Avinu. The second was the brit at Har Sinai with the receiving of the Torah, as it says, "Behold, here is the blood of the covenant that Hashem has sealed with you" (Shemot 24:8).
Rashi in this week’s parasha (29:11) explains that the procedure of making a brit is learned out from the word "l’uvr’cha," for you to pass. Those who make the covenant set up two partitions and pass between them. Walking in a narrow place between two partitions is reminiscent of the Talmud’s description of those being judged on Rosh Hashana, "All of the world passes before Him like young sheep"(Rosh Hashana 18:1). Furthermore, the language of "hayom"(translated as "today"), used in the opening pasuk of our parasha, hints at a homiletic connection to the elements of "hayom" which are so prominent in the liturgy of Rosh Hashana, the day of creation, the day we are all judged. It appears that every individual renews his brit with Hashem every year on Rosh Hashana. But what is a brit, why is it significant and why was it necessary in all three circumstances in the Torah and on every Rosh Hashana?
Rav Charlap in his sefer, Mei Marom (Ori V’Yishi 16:96) explains that a brit is made when two people or nations are at the climax of their relationship. The two people, who have warm feelings for each other, make a brit to ensure that despite any hard times their relationship might undergo in the future, they will always conduct their relationship according to the situation of good will present at the time of their covenant. Using Rav Charlap’s definition of brit, we can now appreciate the significance of the three historical covenants and the ongoing phenomenon on Rosh Hashana.
At Brit Bein Hab’tarim, Avraham feared that his descendants would not have the same level of belief in Hashem that he was able to achieve. Hashem, therefore, made a brit to capture the relationship with Avraham at its pinnacle and ensure that the same base relationship would continue with Avraham’s descendants according to the framework with him. At Har Sinai we merited to see the ultimate level of Divine revelation. The brit ensured that the relationship would remain even in times of hester panim, when Hashem’s presence is hidden from us. Finally, Bnei Yisrael prepared to enter Eretz Yisrael and had begun to usher in a period in which they would be more active in their service of Hashem. On the background of the new heights reached by Bnei Yisrael’s acceptance of this new level and the beginning of its implementation, the time was ripe for another brit.
So too, during the month of Elul, every individual should work to attain a high level of closeness to Hashem. The closer that relationship will be, the more significant the brit forged when we pass before Him as sheep on Rosh Hashana will be. If successful, his relationship with Hashem will prevail throughout the highs and lows of the year to come.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
