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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
[One of the miracles for which one has to make a beracha is the falling of boulders at Beit Choron at the time of Yehoshua. The baraita uses the term algabish for these stones, which is a word used for the stones that will fall in the battle of Gog and Magog (see Yechezkel 38:22).] These refer to the stones that stopped due to a man (al gav ish) and fell due to a man. One "ish" is Moshe (see Bamidbar 12:3), who stopped the hail in midair (see Shemot 9:33). The other is Yehoshua, who was an ish (see Bamidbar 27:18) who brought down large stones in battle (Yehoshua 10:11).
Ein Ayah: War is needed according to man’s present incomplete level, and it enables nations to protect or assert themselves. Normally, a nation’s success depends on its people’s bravery, and one would think that this increases with their confidence that they can succeed on their own. One would, then, think that cognitive fear of Hashem, along with a realization that "war is Hashem’s" (Shmuel I, 17:47) and that man’s own efforts without Hashem’s help are futile, would lessen the necessary confidence.
However, this is wrong, as bitachon in Hashem and reliance on His help do not come to weaken a person’s bravery. Rather, it is to teach a person that he should not rely only on his strength but should also incorporate moral strength of following the ways of Hashem. Then he is worthy of his physical strength succeeding, for then mankind has a benefit in his success. If he only thinks about his physical prowess, then success will lower his moral status, and Hashem will not want him to succeed. Thus, the need for trust in Hashem is not to weaken the human practical resolve but to make it more complete - to incorporate shleimut of the individual and the collective.
There is no clearer sign of Divine involvement in war than the falling of boulders from the sky, as it is unconnected to any human involvement. Specifically in that regard, Chazal stressed that those stones are related to the efforts (literally, on the back) of two great men, Moshe and Yehoshua. Indeed, the contributions of men like Moshe and Yehoshua were critical in the miracle, as when a person perfects himself to the point that his requests from Heaven are fulfilled, he merits miraculous intervention. These events teach us to do diligently whatever needs to be done to bring on success, whether by strengthening the nation’s resolve or improving its spiritual level, including belief in Hashem’s help.
The matter is similar to what Rav Saadia Gaon said: since we see that in spiritual matters, we make progress by our hard work to properly fulfill Torah and mitzvot, so too in physical pursuits, we will achieve success through hard work. Trust in Hashem is needed to complete the proper efforts.
The navi tells of the stones of algabish coming specifically at the time of the War of Gog and Magog, when Mashiach will come. Then Bnei Yisrael will complete their standing as a powerful, wise, and holy nation. The miracles of the war will straighten the ways of proper efforts, with the spiritual preparations complementing bravery and strength. They will not make the mistake of crediting their own power for the victory and will realize that victory comes from Hashem. They also will not make the mistake of being passive in their efforts. Rather they will be reminded of the stones Hashem employed in ancient wars, which the Rabbis attributed to the contribution of great Jewish leaders. This, after all, is the ultimate goal: that man will reach his ultimate state, both as individuals and as a collective, with hard work of the body and the soul.
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
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)
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
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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.
P'ninat Mishpat 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: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
