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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: For a great person in the realm of wisdom and ethics like Rav Yehuda, illness and the bitter possibility of his passing from the world did not relate primarily to him but to the people around him. A problem can arise when the great person’s associates do not sufficiently appreciate the value of the benefit they receive by having a person of his stature in their midst. In order to awaken them to this realization, Hashem may bring an illness, so that it will result in a fear of losing the great person.
That is why Rav Chana and the others expressed that the main thanksgiving should come from them for not having lost Rav Yehuda [as it was their response that Hashem was trying to elicit]. They purposely made the beracha of thanksgiving in a simple language which would have been more appropriate from a simple person. This signified that without a great scholar and tzaddik like Rav Yehuda and his spiritual impact upon them, they would sink to a much lower level. They wanted to hint that they would be unable to express themselves on a high level, such as speaking in Lashon Hakodesh (the Holy Tongue – Hebrew), which the angels use. Therefore, they gave their thanks in Aramaic, the coarse language of the masses [not normally used in reciting blessings] to indicate that the lowness of Aramaic is what they should expect of themselves without the presence of Rav Yehuda.
They also stressed in the beracha that "Hashem gave you to us," for their purposes and to elevate them and "not to the earth." This description of death also stresses the simplistic material element of the body returning to the earth and decaying, without getting into the more intellectual/spiritual outlook into death. This, again, indicated the feeling of inadequacy that those who blessed felt without Rav Yehuda. They also meant to hint that the waste of losing Rav Yehuda without having maximized the gain from his influence would be like an object that was covered up by the ground and lost. Now that they showed their recognition of what they should have done, they would be inspired to concentrate on learning as much Torah and ethics from him as they could.
Rav Yehuda expressed that he was aware of the need for a personal expression of thanks for his recovery from illness. However, since he already saw that there was a benefit that came from his illness in the realm of Torah and piety (to the others), he already was able to view the illness as something for which to be thankful. By answering Amen, he showed how, with an enthusiastic heart, he was happy with his physical pain since it was the source of blessing to many. As far as his own feelings were concerned, "the cow wants to give its milk more than the calf wants to receive it" (i.e., the teacher wants his students to learn more than they do).
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)
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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.
