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Beit Midrash
- Family and Society
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- The Education of Children and Students
- Family and Society
- Traveling and Vacations
- The Summer Vacation
Some Talmudey Torah (prime schools) and Yeshivot indeed have a shorter vacation for a month or even three weeks and it showed good results. Also in Bney Tzvi Yeshiva (yeshiva high school in Bet El) the vacation was shortened to a month. It seems that yeshiva high school must be the first to do this and show an example to all other institutions.
Since in the meantime the vacation is long, we should prepare correctly. It should be used for rest, refreshment and dissolution and not for idleness. Idleness leads to boredom and boredom leads to sin. Therefore we must try to fill the vacation days with a good program.
The Mishnah in Avot (2, 2) says:
"Rabban Gamaliel the son of Rabbi Judah the Prince said: Great is study of the Torah when combined with a worldly occupation, for toil in them both puts sin out of mind. All study of the Torah which is not supplemented by work is destined to prove futile and causes sin."
This Mishna teaches a deep wisdom.
Effort and exertion put sin out of mind. Spiritual and practical labor, both together keep a person from sins. It is not enough to put much effort in learning Torah only , or in work only (worldly occupation, Derech Eretz as the Sages called it), but both are needed. "For toil in them both puts sin out of mind".
This is because a person is combined from body and soul, physical powers and spiritual forces act alike. A man needs to be qualified in both. The Torah completes the soul. And worldly occupation, labor, livelihood, complete the body. When a person acts and tries to complete himself, he is far from sin, for sin is the opposite, the opposite disadvantage is perfect. The sin comes when the desire to integrity ceases.
Our sages say that wherever it says "Vayeshav" (sat, dwelt), it is a language of grief:
"And Israel dwelt in Shittim", - what follows? " and the people began to commit harlotry with the daughters of Moab".
"And Jacob dwelt" What happened to him? The sale of Joseph.
Another Midrash (Bereishit Rabba) explains more: "And Israel abode in Shittim" - sitting anywhere is a language of corruption. It says: "and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to make merry" which means worshiping idols.
Human beings have forces that push them to act and do, if these forces are not directed to building and rising, they push us down.
There is no middle, or up or down.
If there is no positive action, if there is idleness, it causes bad results of sin and iniquity. "Great is study of the Torah when combined with a worldly occupation, for toil in them both puts sin out of mind".
The Education of Children and Students The Heavy Price Paid by Rabbis, Leaders & Their Children
Ein Aya, Shabbat 2, 240
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
