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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
The Rabbis taught [in a baraita]: One who enters a bathhouse says as follows: "May it be your will, Hashem, our G-d, to save me from this and similar things, and no destructive thing should occur to me, and if something destructive or related to sin does occur, let my death be atonement for all of my sins." Abayei [from the later period of Amoraim] said: A person should not speak in such a way, for one should not open his mouth to the Satan, as Reish Lakish said in the name of Rabbi Yossi: One should never open up his mouth to the Satan. Rav Yosef said: What pasuk supports this idea? It is written: "We were almost like S’dom; we were similar to Amora" (Yeshaya 1:9). What does the navi respond: "Listen to the word of Hashem, oh officers of S’dom" (ibid. 10).
Ein Ayah: One who is healthy in body and in spirit will not be afraid, and his contemplations will not shake him. Even when he imagines great tragedies, his bravery/confidence will not disappear. That is why in baraita, written at the time when the nation lived in its own Land in relative tranquility and with a spirit that was intact, spoke about potentially tragic things openly without it causing any damage to people’s spirits.
However, in the time of exile (Abayei lived in Bavel), when spirits were weakened, one’s emotions have to be more carefully protected, as people were more apt to lose their confidence, especially when they contemplated frightening scenarios. Once a person with a weakened spirit utters something frightening, it will be difficult for him to remove it from his thoughts. That is why one should not "open his mouth to the Satan," as the characteristics of weakness that have clung to Hashem’s nation due to the pressure exerted by its enemies and its many problems make it necessary to avoid anything that could further frighten it. This is despite the fact that within the personality of the Jewish people there is an innate strength of spirit.
The weakening of the spirit and lack of courage cause the likelihood of deterioration both in the physical and the spiritual realms. When a person’s healthy confidence is shaken, then external ideas of doom are able to infiltrate his mind and impact on his psyche. Therefore, one should even avoid saying anything that could paint a negative spiritual picture of himself and his prospects. When Yeshaya spoke of a comparison of Bnei Yisrael to the people of S’dom, that type of rebuke which displayed a resignation of sorts to the bleakness of the people’s spiritual state actually caused a lowering of the spirit. In that case, it became a self-fulfilling prophecy, prompting the subsequent prophecy to depict them as being deserving of being called the "officers of S’dom."
This teaches us in a broad manner that when giving rebuke, one should not describe a situation, whether from a physical or a spiritual perspective, as fitting of resignation and great darkness. Such words will not elevate the people but lower their dignity to the ground, weaken their resolve, and degrade them. These ideas that lower the spirit have their impact both on an individual and a national level in a manner that the subjects are not able to overcome.
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: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 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.
