Yeshiva
Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Pinchas
The norm within Am Yisrael throughout the generations was that soldiers were among the spiritual elite of the nation. The soldiers of Yehoshua bin Nun took up arms and fought to capture the Land, but at the same time they were expected to continue to learn Torah when there was any time and were criticized when they did not do so. David’s soldiers knew how to fight on the battlefield but also knew the secrets of "battle in the study hall" (see Megilla 14a). Students of Rabbi Akiva were among the fighters of Bar Kochva fighting for Jewish independence. Halachically, we are to strive that the nation’s soldiers will be G-d-fearing and specifically those who are "fearful due to sins that they have perpetrated" are to be sent back from the front (in certain types of battles) (see Sota 43b).
To this day, the young men of Yeshivot Hesder and the Mechinot are properly happy to serve in the IDF and do so in a way that sanctifies the Name of Hashem. Many years of experience demonstrates that their level of Torah observance is not damaged, and they can be found among the elite of Torah scholars as well.
As seems to be the case often, the public debate rages on the topic of the rules that will govern the enlistment of yeshiva students to the army. It is our responsibility to reach out to our partners to the world of Torah in the Charedi camp: "Take advantage of the situation. Specifically these days, if you the matter with an attitude of partnership, you will be able to benefit from wide public support and recognition of the importance of Torah in Am Yisrael officially through legislation - without the need for political pressure. It will help those who are not capable of learning Torah day and night fulfill their responsibility toward themselves, their families, their nation, and their state. Make the decision that whoever is not capable of being among the "first row" of Torah leadership should join the army after a few years in yeshiva. Afterward, he can learn a profession and set aside serious amounts of time daily for the study of Torah."
We pray that this dispute will find a solution in a pleasant manner, with mutual respect and on the basis of the recognition of the importance of the spiritual level of all stripes of members of our nation.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Hosha'ana Rabba FLYDUBAI & HOSHANA RABBA- ANI VAHU HOSHIA NA- I & HIM SAVE US
"Ani vaHu Hoshia Na", "I and Him, Save Us". We don't just pray to Him, but we also pray to and for ourselves that we should emulate and educate our children to have that instinctive altruism with which He created the world. President Trump seemed amused about Yaniv Hayon, our PLUMBER who confidently worked with G-d like Superman (he learned from a pilot on a TV show!) to save 174 lives on the Dubai hijacking, but we in Israel are totally accustomed already 78 years to our plumbers, teachers, garbage-men, rabbis, farmers & doctors being Hashem's shlichim! This is what Zionism is about.
Moreshet Shaul Hashem Is your Shadow – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 420 – an address from 1941
P'ninat Mishpat A Non-Contractor in Changing Times – part I
(based on ruling 85128 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Moreshet Shaul Our King on Rosh Hashana, Our Father on Yom Kippur.
Based on Aroch Siach, p. 221 (Rav Shaul Yisraeli)
