YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: Prayer should always be connected to the attempt to bring good deeds into practice. This is all the more so in regard to spiritual matters of the highest and most sacred degree. Therefore, the attempt to return the hearts of Jewish sinners to their Father in Heaven should be included in the personal moral agenda of every individual Jew. Therefore, it is proper that our prayers mark the desire within every Jew to see all the sinners within our nation return to belief in the G-d of Israel.
The matter is different in regard to our concern for the sins of members of the nations of the world. It is true that our ultimate goal is that all human beings will recognize the honor of Hashem. However, in practice we have no obligation to involve ourselves in their religious affairs. Our obligation is to strengthen the Torah and fear of Hashem within our own nation. It is Hashem’s secret how He will improve the world’s connection with Him and bring light to the world when the darkness comes to an end. Therefore the hope for universal service of Hashem has no place in our set prayers upon seeing a place from which idolatry has been uprooted.
It is true that we discuss our desire for universal service of Hashem within the Aleinu prayer and during the services of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. However, this is only at specific intervals, so that we recall what our general hope includes. In contrast, blessings that are required when certain circumstances arise are not just related to the religious goals of the future but to the practical ones of the present. Praying for gentiles’ removal of idolatry whenever one sees the removal of idol worship might mislead one to think that we are obligated in this as well. Therefore, the first opinion says to omit this element from the blessing.
Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar agrees that we do not have a practical obligation to influence gentiles. However, it is clear that the faster our salvation comes and our prominence in the eyes of the world increases, the faster the nations will recognize Hashem, as we will be the vehicle for this process. When we remind ourselves that the "conversion" of the nations of the world depends on our maximizing our potential, this will encourage us to redouble our efforts towards this end. By conversion we refer merely to the acceptance of the Kingdom of Hashem as finds expression through us, enabling the world to ‘speak in one language,’ as the prophet, Tzefanya, foretold. The nations’ spiritual unity, which is very important for their physical and spiritual success, depends on their ability to absorb the light of the Torah of Israel. If the nations would be able, in the future, to come to recognize Hashem through their own intellectual powers, they would not be able to join together ‘in one language,’ but this is not the case. The second opinion reasons that because our light will be needed for the whole world, we should include this fact in our ongoing prayers to improve ourselves so that we can improve the whole world through our internal state.
Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
