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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
If one calls out in prayer over something in the past (i.e., that is already determined) this is a worthless prayer. For example, if one whose wife is pregnant prays: "May it be His will that my wife will give birth to a boy," this is a worthless prayer. Or, if one was on the road and hears cries of anguish in the city, and he prays: "May it be His will that it is not from my home," this is a worthless prayer.
Ein Ayah: Although prayer is based on emotion, it also has to be influenced by logic, to the degree that the emotion needs to be attached to reality. It is true that the goal and the workings of prayer are to improve a person spiritually. [This is a thesis that Rav Kook discusses in many places – sometimes Hashem allows a person to receive that which He has destined for him only by means of his praying for it, in order for this experience to attach the person to Him]. This is why the ultimate wisdom arranged in advance that as everything has a correct time, so too will matters arise that will motivate a person to pray for certain needs. The moral lift for a person’s personality that he will receive through prayer will thereby fit the general reason that Hashem created the phenomena related to prayer and will justify the person’s specific request being accepted in the desired manner.
For this process of prayer to be of proper value, two conditions must be fulfilled in regard to the nature of the request. One is that the request must be accomplishable by natural means with which the world functions. If this is fulfilled, then prayer becomes a link in the chain that joins the existence of the world along the lines of wonderful order and divine wisdom. The other condition is that the prayer has to follow lines of healthy logic. In such a way the prayer itself improves the internal spirit and at times creates a situation where it is appropriate for his specific request to be accepted by Hashem. When a prayer is either missing conforming to the nature of the world or is an illogical request, it will not bring the desired closeness to Hashem.
The two worthless prayers spelled out by the mishna are lacking in the two aspects that we have described, respectively. The prayer that the pregnant woman will give birth to a boy is against nature. [This is because it would be of value only if the fetus was a girl and was changed due to the prayer into a boy, which would of course be against the rules of nature]. The prayer about the source of the cries of anguish is not even logical, as it about something in the past. The fact is that the cries emanated from one place or another, and the prayer cannot change that which already happened. Such prayers that do not follow the mode of proper requests not only will not be answered, but do not even provide a person with the experience of prayer in which his spiritual being can be improved. That is why they are called worthless prayers.
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: 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.
