YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Tetzave
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
Chazal tell us that the clothing of the Kohen Gadol, which the Torah describes in proximity to the section on korbanot (sacrifices), brought atonement for Bnei Yisrael. The tunic brought atonement on matters of violence, the pants on matters of promiscuity, etc. What was the choshen’s contribution? It atoned for matters of judgment, as the pasuk says, and you shall make a choshen mishpat (judgment) (Arachin 16a). The midrash (Vayikra Rabba 10) is a little more specific, implying that it atones for corruption in the judicial system. But what connection do the choshen and judgment have with the heart, specifically, upon which the choshen is worn.
The Kli Yakar (Shemot 28:15) explains as follows. To a great extent, "judgments are entrusted to the judge’s heart, for a judge can only rule based on what his eyes see. He has the power to say on the right that it is the left and on the left that it is the right ... If a judge will say, ‘That is what seemed to me to be correct,’ who can contradict him but Hashem, who checks the hearts of man? For this reason, [the choshen] was ma’aseh chosheiv (woven, but using the root for thinking) to atone for the judge’s thoughts."
The Rama’s last gloss on Orach Chayim (697:1) discusses whether one should partake in a feast on Purim Katan (14 Adar I). He suggests to fulfill the stringent opinion by adding a little bit to his normal meal, citing the pasuk, "The good-hearted are always involved in feast." The Minchat Yitzchak (10:58) suggests the following explanation of who is the good-hearted who partakes in feast. One with a good heart is he who is careful in his monetary affairs. It is not sufficient for society that its judges are just. Every individual is personally responsible to ensure that the money he has accrued and with which he buys his meals was honestly and cleanly acquired. In discussing what makes a meal into a seudat mitzva, he says that three elements should be present. The second and third are that the participants praise Hashem and speak divrei Torah. But the first thing he mentions is that the food should be "kosher," not only from the perspective of permitted or forbidden foods, but from the perspective of the honesty employed in obtaining it, ensuring that the mitzva is not tainted by sin. This is the good heart the Rama refers to, as it is good according to the test of the choshen mishpat that sat on the heart of the Kohen Gadol and oversaw justice.
Indeed, as the idea of the Mishkan was to make a home for Hashem among every individual Jew, it is incumbent upon all to wear his personal choshen mishpat appropriately.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
