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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayechi
Yosef, as his death approached, instructed Bnei Yisrael: "Hashem will certainly redeem you, and you shall take my bones out of here with you" (Shemot 13:19). In addition to the purpose of getting his remains out of Egypt and into Eretz Yisrael, there is a point hinted at by an added word [in Parashat Beshalach, not Vayechi] – "itchem (with you)." Yosef, the great dreamer, wanted his bones and memory to accompany the people, so that the redeemed nation might learn from him.
The gemara (Sota 13a) says: "The two arks, of the Divine Presence (including the Tablets) and of Yosef (his coffin), were travelling one beside the other, and they would say: ‘This one kept what it is says in this one.’" It is not sufficient to have the first ark, containing the written law. Sometimes a person thinks that it is easy to write what needs to be done, but it is much more difficult and powerful to show that the ideal can actually be carried out in real life. That is what Yosef’s coffin (the second ark) taught. Yosef had been a living sefer Torah, sacrificing safety and success and being ready to sit in jail in order to preserve his moral purity. This example is something that cannot be learned by the written law itself.
While all of Bnei Yisrael were busy collecting the spoils that the Egyptians left at the Splitting of the Sea, Moshe was busy tending to Yosef’s coffin (Mechilta, Beshalach). Moshe was doing so because he knew that Yosef’s coffin contained the secret of the success of the nation. This liberation was a consistent result of Jewish stubbornness not to compromise our principles and the belief that some time on the horizon the liberation would come. This is what Yosef represented.
Regarding the holy martyrs of the Holocaust, we did not even merit to see the coffin or the bones of so many. We did not merit to eulogize these people individually, and we do not even know the day of death of so many. At least, though, we must never forget their memory and the pure and righteous path that so many led. If we think we can draw a line in history and begin national history again from the new national life that we are experiencing in Israel, without basing it on the rich Jewish history of the past, we are making a terrible mistake. We must remember the stubborn guarding of the principles of Judaism and the willingness to put up with discrimination and even death in order to preserve them. We have to take Moshe’s approach and realize that it is important for us to tend to and learn from their memory.
The metaphorical coffin of the modern Yosefs also must remind us that we cannot put our faith in the nations of the world and expect that they will help us. Even with the connections that Yosef had in the highest echelons, the best he could do was to promise: "Hashem will certainly redeem you." The martyrs’ memory also has to remind us that even the most cultured nation in the world can end up being the source of the must brutal atrocities that the world has ever known.
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)
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
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)
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: 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)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
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
