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Beit Midrash
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We define a song by rimes or reading text with music. "Az Yashir" has no rimes and although its read in Shul with a special tune, the "Te'amim" are like the rest of the Torah. Why then "Az Yashir" is a song or poetry, or maybe we should ask what is a poetry?
The main difference between "Az Yashir" and the rest of the Torah is the way it's written. Most of the Torah verses are written in sequence, without spaces between words. However, in "Az Yashir" there are large spaces between words, and the combination of the number of words in each group and the space between the group reminds a brick wall. Ha'azinu's structure is different, but the principle of the spaces remains - the text is written in two columns, with a blank space in between.
Do these spaces define poetry? Does the blank sheet between the words give them a different meaning?
Rabbi Yehuda Halevi (11th century) was a well-known poet. Although he wrote classical poetry, in his book "Kuzari", he writes that good poetry isn’t characterized by beautiful words or rimes, but by conveying an idea beyond the words. Those who read good poetry should feel as if they can see poet and what he saw.
When Am Yisrael crossed the Red Sea, they reached a high spiritual level, somting that can not be described in words. "Az Yashir" comes from this high experience with an attempt to convey this to the reader. Because words can not contain the virtue of that great experience, it's written between the lines, in the spaces between words.
When we read "sAz Yashir" every day, and especially when read from the Torah in Parashat Beshalach, we should listen to the gaps, to the silence of the Cantor between verses, hear the idea that can not be expressed in words.
In the silence, everyone can try to hear the voices of the Red Sea and in the blank spaces to imagine how it was, as if he is standing there and can see it all in his eyes. If we try to live the song, the white spaces might be filled with lights of prophecy
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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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)
