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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
[The Torah writes in the context of the creation of man,] "Vayy itzer Hashem" (Hashem created) with two letters yud. We learn from there that He created man with two yetzarim (inclinations – the words for creating and inclination are very similar) – a good inclination and an evil inclination. Rav Nachman asked: But only one yud is found regarding the creation of animals, and we see that they have an evil inclination, as they damage, bite, and kick. Rather, it is as Rabbi Shimon ben Pazi said: "Woe is to me because of yotzri (my Creator); woe is to me because of yitzri (my evil inclination)."
Ein Ayah: The animalistic characteristics that drag a person to lowly desires do not require a special creation to have their effect. Rather, if a person just abandons the special high nature of his spirit, he will sink naturally toward great deterioration and will remain there until the spirit of his intellect will raise him again to the proper level.
However, the aforementioned danger of natural deterioration applies only to matters of physicality, to which man has a natural animalistic connection. However, there is another part to a person’s evil inclination. That is in regard to a spiritually undeveloped person’s opposition to accepting Hashem’s mandates. This finds special expression in regard to mitzvot whose reason is not clear but are divine mandates, which some people will oppose even though the mitzva does not compromise the desires of his animalistic tendencies. This is a specially created inclination, which allows a person to improve his spirit by giving him free choice to choose between that which is right and between this evil inclination. This is the battle between the recognition of the word of Hashem and the inclination, in addition to the battle against the natural tendencies toward physicality. When one overcomes the intellectual evil inclination, then he will have a broader recognition of goodness because he not only will know about good in and of itself but also in contrast to the evil that he has been exposed to.
This explains the double creation that the pasuk refers to. It is not intrinsic in the creation of a physical being that there should have to be any other force toward sin other than the situation of his spiritual side not succeeding, which allows the physical side to take over and cause sin. Yet, Hashem created an additional type of intellectual evil inclination. The Rabbis referred to one type of evil inclination with "woe is to me from my Creator," i.e., the inclination to go against what Hashem said simply because Hashem said it. "Woe is to me from my evil inclination" refers to those inclinations that oppose success and purity in pursuit of a connection to Hashem due to the unrefined physical nature of a person.
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.
