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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Behar
A. The laws of Shemitta – let us stress the law that the produce is open to consumption of all the Land’s inhabitants, from non-land-owners, to slaves, to animals (Vayikra 25:6-7).
B. The Yovel year – the central elements are that servants are set free and land returns to their original owners who sold them (ibid. 10).
C. Not overpricing when selling land, considering that land returns in Yovel (ibid. 23-24).
D. Limitations on the sale of land, including the ability to redeem sold fields (ibid. 25-34).
E. The prohibition of lending money with interest – note the mention that Hashem took us out of Egypt (ibid. 35-38), which seems unconnected in this context,
F. The prohibition of taking advantage of a servant and the requirement to set him free, after six years or during Yovel – we take note of the mention of "for they are My servants, whom I took out of Egypt; they shall not be sold the sale of a servant" and the repeated use of the phrase "you shall not work them with perech (overly harsh conditions)" (ibid. 39-46).
G. The laws of redeeming a relative who was sold into slavery – here, too, the Torah stresses: "for to Me are Bnei Yisrael servants; they are My servants whom I took out of the Land of Egypt" (ibid. 47-55).
What is the common denominator between all of these halachot? It is possible that all of these matters are connected at their root to the concepts behind Yovel. Yovel represents freedom. A free person has the right to have personal acquisitions and, first and foremost, to be in charge of himself and his time [in concert with Divine mandates]. The Torah grants and protects these freedoms for all individuals, including the weakest in society. However, the Torah stresses repeatedly that this freedom was obtained through Hashem’s miraculous liberation of us from Egypt. The rights of our personal ownership are connected to our indebtedness to Hashem.
The laws that emerge from these concepts: every seven years, our land becomes as if ownerless and its produce belongs to all because, in essence, all belongs to Hashem. There is no permanent sale of people or land because one person cannot take control of that which belongs to another. Acquiring wealth must be done in a fair manner, especially with the rich being careful not to take advantage by charging interest on loans or jacking up prices. Even if one needs to sell himself into servitude, his owner must respect his dignity, which emanates from the divine image within him.
Hopefully we will remember these rules while we remember that only a servant of Hashem is truly free.
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)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
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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)
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)
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
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
