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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Korach
One issue has to do with the question of strong leadership in the first place. Korach and his followers claimed: "You have too much, for the entire congregation is holy, and Hashem is amongst them, and why should you raise yourselves (hitnasut) over the congregation of Hashem?" (Bamidbar 16:3). From Moshe’s response, we can see that it wasn’t that the protestors rejected Moshe’s leadership in general but that they were looking for a bigger portion of the leadership pie for themselves (see ibid. 10). However, when Datan and Aviram entered the picture, we see that they objected to Moshe’s dominion (serara) over the people, in general.
Let us move on to the next issue: the request of Shmuel’s generation for a king. The people introduced the request with a claim to Shmuel that he was old and that his sons did not follow their father’s path (Shmuel I, 8:5). They then asked for a king "to judge us like all the nations." It is interesting that the period of close to 400 years from the entry of Bnei Yisrael into Eretz Yisrael until the time of Shmuel was known as the Period of the Shoftim (usually translated, judges). There are many proofs that the term in this context refers more to leaders than to judges. Throughout Sefer Shoftim, we find no cases of judgments, just signs of leadership, prominent among them being waging war. What, then, is the big difference between the shoftim and subsequent kings? The answer is the matter of inheritance of the leadership. The only judge who was followed by his son was Gidon, and his son actually assumed leadership by force.
The term serara, which Datan and Aviram referred to, is used in other contexts regarding kingship and other forms of power (see Rambam, Melachim 1:4, regarding who is allowed to adopt such positions.) According to our mentor, Harav Shaul Yisraeli (Amud Hay’mini 12:5), there is a direct correlation between serara and the idea of inheritance of the position. Datan and Aviram, descendants of Yaakov’s firstborn, Reuven, claimed that they should have inherited leadership, as Reuven had also deserved. They warned Moshe that he should not try to have his leadership transferred to his sons.
Shmuel was the first of the Shoftim who contemplated passing over his leadership to his sons, which the people rejected. The people said to Shmuel that if he was thinking in the direction of inherited leadership, then apparently the time had come for the related system of monarchy. Employing inheritance in leadership has plusses and minuses. If there is a lack of fear of Heaven and accountability, the system can be grossly abused. The proper time for monarchy came when David came on the scene, as he is the one who taught the crucial ability to seek repentance. Otherwise, monarchy should not be used.
We pray that the idea of readiness to seek repentance will be strengthened and, along with it, the whole idea of proper leadership will flourish.
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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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
