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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
We make a blessing on a miracle that occurred to many people, but not to one that occurred to an individual. But didn’t Rava tell a person who … was saved from a lion to make the blessing, "… Who did a miracle for me in this place"? On a miracle that happened to many people, everyone is required to recite the blessing; on a miracle that occurred to an individual, only that person is required to recite the blessing.
Ein Ayah: The simple explanation of the distinction between the individual and the masses is that the masses are not affected by the miracle that occurred to an individual, whereas everyone is included in the miracle that happened to the masses. However, this would not be taking into account the goal of blessings on miracles, which is to make it be known that Hashem is behind the miracles that occur. This can be achieved even when people are aware of a miracle that transpired to an individual. Indeed, besides the idea that miracles save someone or some group from a situation of grave danger, they also serve the function of saving people eternally by strengthening the ethical side of either the group or the individual. We need to know how to look at a miracle in order to know what lessons to extract from it.
Nature is also a means to know Hashem for one who contemplates. Since "that which is common comes before that which is uncommon," it behooves us to give more attention to the Divine Hand that we can see within nature, which is common. One can receive great spiritual gain from contemplating nature, as p’sukim say: "Raise your eyes and see Who created these" (Yeshaya 40:26) and "You have made me with happy with Your actions, in the work of Your hands I will rejoice" (Tehillim 92:5).
On the other hand, man needs to awaken the dormant feeling and
intellectual/spiritual elements within him, and this can be accomplished by means of miracles that come at the right time to help the right person in the right way. In order to awaken these dormant feelings, only something that comes rarely can be effective. Just as miracles serve their ethical purpose only if they are performed rarely, so too recalling them is effective only when one does so on a non-consistent basis.
Regarding miracles for the masses, it is appropriate for people to be inspired by them when the Divine Providence brings people to the specific place in which they occurred. However, if he made a blessing every time someone came to a place where a miracle occurred to any individual, then there would be so many opportunities to make a blessing on the miracles that it would no longer have the desired effect. On a regular basis, one is supposed to be impacted by the knowledge that Hashem runs the world with perfect wisdom in a set, natural manner, not by contemplating miracles. That is why the Rabbis said: "Whoever says Hallel (the psalms reserved for special times) everyday, is like a blasphemer" (Shabbat 118b). Rather, on a daily basis one should be inspired by the way Hashem created and maintains the wonderful natural world.
Regarding the individual to whom the miracle transpired, the matter is different. Certainly he witnessed the miracle because it was something that was fitting for him. Therefore, when Divine Providence brings him to the place where a miracle happened to him, bringing with it a reinvigorated emotional connection to Hashem, he should fulfill his obligation to be thankful and in the process help improve himself.
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
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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.
