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Beit Midrash
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First let us understand what it means that Moshe’s face was karan. Both the earlier and the later commentators explain that Moshe received some sort of special shine or glow emanating from his face. This is related to the event of receiving the Torah and luchot a second time, and is in line with the pasuk, "The wisdom of a man will light up his face" (Kohelet 8:1). The Rashbam and the Ibn Ezra scoffed at the Karaite who explained that Moshe’s face was dry because he did not eat for 40 days or the person who said that karan is related to the keren (horn) of an animal.
Let us now move on to the form of the luchot. So many shuls display the likeness of these holy tablets, usually above the aron kodesh. In the great majority of the cases, the likeness has rounded tops. This is mistaken. The gemara in Bava Batra (14a) discusses what was in the aron in the Temple in addition to the luchot. In that discussion, the gemara mentions the undisputed measurements of the luchot. The dimensions were six (i.e., an amma (cubit) of six tefachim (handbreadths)) by six by three. Putting one tablet on top of the other, they would form a perfect cube of one cubic amma. It is interesting to note that the Holy of Holies, both in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and in the Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple) was also a perfect cube, in that case, of ten ammot in each direction. In any case, every indication was that the luchot were square, not rounded.
Another point worth clarifying is the place of the Ten Commandments on the luchot. It is universally depicted as each tablet containing five of the commandments. This indeed is the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda (Shemot Rabba, Ki Tisa 47). However, Rabbi Nechemia (ibid.) disagrees and says that there were ten on each tablet (i.e., the tablets were a repeat of each other). Perhaps the curious possibility of their being a repeat caused most people to just assume that Rabbi Yehuda is correct.
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)
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)
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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.
