YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Mishpatim
The Torah emphasises that as the previous commandments were given at Mount Sinai, so the rules in this case were given at Sinai.
There are two features of many of the laws in Parashat Mishpatim.
A: They concern the simple, daily things like the laws of damages, guards or loans.
B: Everyone can see their logic and if they were not written in the Torah, the civil secular law would probably include them anyway
The Torah teaches us that commandments are directed not only towards heaven. The Torah is also manifest in practical life and in the simplest details. Proper behaviour between people is not only a civil law or a courtesy designed to enable normal life, it is a Mitzvah! God's will is that we have these laws and keep them not because of their logic or because practical life needs some law, but because they are Mitzvot.
Such an attitude to the "simple" laws uplifts our lives. Every act is not only an act necessary for life, an act which is not unique and has no meaning of itself, but is itself a Mitzvah. Performing these laws helps to lift us up to a Divine level, to the Torah and logic from Sinai! Understanding this meaning and its application in every action, every interaction between people, allows experiencing every day the giving of the Torah.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
