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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Korach
Let us return to the building of Yericho, which we discussed last week. Chiel rebuilt Yericho despite the curse of Yehoshua and paid a serious price: in the beginning of the process his elder son Aviram died, and his younger son Seguv died later, as Yehoshua had predestined (Melachim I 16:34). The next pasuk in the navi begins the story of a decree that Eliyahu made that there would be rain in Israel only when Eliyahu decreed it, which was followed by a long drought. The gemara (Sanhedrin 113a) tells a fascinating story, combining the two stories.
King Achav was a close friend of Chiel, and he went with Eliyahu to visit Chiel (either for the consecration of Yericho or for nichum aveilim- Rashi). Achav cynically questioned the effectiveness of Yehoshua’s curse regarding the building of Yericho. When Eliyahu confirmed his belief in Yehoshua’s curse, Achav said scornfully: "The curses of Yehoshua’s master, Moshe, did not come true, as Moshe said that if the people will worship idolatry, Hashem will hold back rain. We worshipped," Achav said, "and the rain continued. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that Yehoshua’s curses have any effect." In response, Eliyahu asked Hashem for the "keys to rain" and withheld rain from Achav’s kingdom.
Based on the above, we can propose the following further background for the story. Yeravam ben Nevat, after rebelling against Shlomo, built calves for illegal worship, against the explicit commandment of Moshe. This same Yeravam called his son Nadav, the same name as the son of Aharon who died because he challenged Moshe’s authority by making rulings in his presence. Yeravam was trying to indicate that he was the moral continuation of Aharon who had also erected a calf for worship. Another person who used the naming of a son as a means of creating a historical connection to someone who challenged Moshe was Chiel. He called his son Aviram, thus trying to continue the legacy of opposing Moshe, and he and Achav scoffed at what Moshe and his disciple, Yehoshua, stood for. Chiel built Yericho based on Achav’s claim that Moshe’s threats were meaningless, making light of Yehoshua, his disciple. Indeed, Chiel paid the price, as his son died for this brazenness – one Aviram like the other.
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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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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
