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Beit Midrash
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After receiving the approval of all the tribes for his kingdom in Chevron, David took the following steps. He chose a capital city that would symbolize the unification of the tribes into one political entity and captured that city, Yerushalayim, from the enemy. Yerushalayim had several advantages, including the following. It had never been inhabited by Jews of any tribe. The city connects between the sons of Leah and the sons of Rachel, as it is on the border between Yehuda and Binyamin (see Yehoshua 15:7-8). One can add in that there is an opinion among Chazal that Yerushalayim was not included in the division of the Land among the tribes.
Another step that David took was creating diplomatic connections that ensured him raw materials and engineering expertise to enable him to succeed in national projects. This was done between David and Chiram, the King of Tzor. A third step that David took at that time was to bring the aron that contained the luchot habrit (the tablets) to Yerushalayim, in a first step toward the eventual building of the Beit Hamikdash. This turned Yerushalayim to not only the political capital of Israel but the spiritual one as well. Thus, the order of events was to first create the political base for the nation, then to make diplomatic arrangements, and only afterward to start building the Temple.
We see Shlomo developing matters in this order as well. The first two perakim of Melachim deal with the question of who would sit on David’s throne after him. The next three deal with developments in the political, financial, and international realm. Only in the subsequent three perakim is the matter of building the Beit Hamikdash raised. Again, first a stable kingdom, then a Mikdash. Interestingly, after discussion of the Beit Hamikdash, the navi returns to the topic of national developments, thereby creating an envelope that makes it clear that the matters are interrelated.
This order applies also in regard to the events commemorated during the time of sefirat ha’omer. First we have Pesach, celebrating the emergence from slavery to freedom. Only afterward do we celebrate Shavuot, symbolizing our spiritual freedom. The acceptance of the Torah enables the spiritual element to enter the national arena and give it meaning.
In our days as well, first we celebrated the establishment of the State, on the 5th of Iyar, and less than two decades later, we were blessed with the liberation of the complete area of Yerushalayim including the site of the Beit Hamikdash, on the 28th of the same month. Let us pray that we will soon merit that the political entity we received will be increasingly more essentially Jewish, which will enable us to build the State in a manner that its Torah values are at its center.
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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.
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
