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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
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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.
