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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Korach
"Why should any one family dominate the leadership? We’re all holy in the eyes of the Almighty - so let’s ‘share the wealth’ & spread the power – vote for me!"
Korach buttresses his campaign by declaring, "u’v’tocham Hashem!" – G-d is "in them." In other words, the spirit of Hashem inhabits & animates every single person.
These are high-minded & actually quite wholesome statements. We certainly DO believe that the spirit of Hashem ("tzelem or ruach Elokim") resides within each of us, & we all have the potential to be a Moshe. But there is a huge difference between the potential & the actual.
Korach had a variety of very significant gifts: He was immensely wealthy, with riches beyond compare, & came from the noblest of Jewish families; he was intelligent & passionate, with an excellent gift for gab. But for all that, he lacked one extremely crucial quality: Self-sacrifice.
Just consider, on the other hand, what Moshe went through on behalf of his people: He gave up the rich, cushy life of the palace to cast his lot with his brothers. He killed the Egyptian, which resulted in a price being put on his head, thus necessitating his fleeing to Midian for 60 years, during which he did not see his biological family. He returned to confront Paro, risking his life in the process. He separated from his wife, so as to be "on call" whenever needed. And he put up with all the demands, complaints, criticism & rebellion from Bnei Yisrael - & we know how frustrating THAT can be for any Jewish professional!
True leadership isn’t about perks & privileges, kavod & kehuna. To be a real leader is to agonize & empathize, to work & worry on behalf of others, to sweat & to suffer.
Just look at the ultimate fate of so many great leaders of history – from Moshe to Mahatma; from Yakov to Yirmiyahu to Lincoln to Begin. They literally gave their lives for the masses, hardly knowing a moment’s peace. It was this very lack of luxury, says Rav Soloveitchik, which proved their worth & guaranteed their legacy.
Korach did not grasp that while leadership may not be an exclusive club, you can’t get in without paying the dues.
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)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Rabbis in Midrash
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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
