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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Shavuot
- Preperation for Shavuot
So how, then, did we prepare for Matan Torah, the most momentous moment of our history?
The Torah tells us we had 3 days to get ready – "Shloshet Y’Mai Hagbala" - & G-d gave us 3 things to do in advance of the Revelation: Sanctify ourselves, set boundaries & wash our clothing. Just what do these things mean?
I suggest the following: Step 1, sanctification, was to impress upon us that we are a holy People, an Am Kadosh, worthy of receiving G-d’s greatest gift to Mankind. Without a healthy, heightened sense of self-respect & self-image, we would not have the sufficient stature to accept the laws of the Torah with the confidence that, yes, we definitely can live up to this most challenging & ambitious way of life.
But we also had to set boundaries. That is, we had to understand that just because we were being "upgraded" to the holiest nation on Earth did not mean that we could go
anywhere or do anything. There are limits. We are not G-d. We can approach Him, but we cannot be Him! At the end of the day, we are still human beings – bound to our
mortal capabilities & bound to make mistakes along the way. We have amazing powers, but yesh g’vul - there is a limit as to what we can & may do with these powers.
And what about this rather strange directive to "wash our clothes?" Seems rather mundane, doesn't it?
While some suggest this meant we should immerse in a Mikva, I have two other thoughts. First, I think this means that, as recipients of the Torah, we should "look the part." Our clothes should be clean. We should look & act in a dignified manner. We should be polite, considerate, kind, mentschlach. We believe, literally, that Derech Eretz Kadma L’Torah; good manners & civility precede the Torah.
Another thought: We have an expression, "Don’t air your dirty laundry in public." Accent on the words "in public." In private, one should indeed "air" his laundry, i.e. reflect on his shortcomings, examine his deeds & resolve to improve himself. For it is only when we bravely face our faults that we can "come clean" before Hashem & do Teshuva. Then and only then we are fully ready to embrace the Torah.
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)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
