YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah:Hashem created the world so that all remedies in the world are results of necessity, e.g., He arranged that the peel (which protects fruit from various damages) comes before the fruit. The need created by a problem is that which brings one to find the solution.
Let us look at the needs of society that make a king [or another form of strong leadership] necessary. First there is social unrest within society, which makes the people realize that they need a strong king to restore internal tranquility. Thus, "the noise" is a first step before and leading to the kingdom.
"After the noise" – when things are calm and society has gotten up on its feet, there is a need to be strengthened as a nation. No nation will succeed without gaining at the expense of another nation, and thus rivalries and even enmities develop. This is the pasuk’s reference to the fire, of war, that is found in the beginning of nationhood and kingship.
The final stage, after the fire, is the respite and quiet that accompanies the smooth function of leadership for the betterment of the whole nation. This "sound of a subtle whisper" is the ultimate purpose of a kingdom, not the triumphs in internal struggles or external wars.
Just as on a national level all strive for a life of tranquility and peace fitting of the righteous, so too for the individual such serenity is most desirable, not a life of noise and wild activity. Therefore, when a completely righteous man goes out to greet the king, it is not to witness the noise and power of the sight, but to relate to the power of justice and the love of tranquility that he wishes for himself and for others. It is to support these goals that he goes to show respect and strengthen the king’s standing.
"The kingdom of the land is like the Kingdom of the Heavens" – [The next section is based on Sanhedrin 97a: "The period of the world is 6,000 years – 2,000 of void; 2,000 of Torah; and 2,000 of the days of Mashiach."] There are different periods in the history of the world, over which Hashem has presided as King. First there were 2,000 years of void and lack of stability, in which in some ways mankind’s level was lower than that of the animals. Mankind had bad personal attributes and lack of sensitivity, which can be represented by tumult, because of a lack of divine light. In order to uproot these wild, dark tendencies, our Torah and mitzvot came to refine mankind as by a melting crucible. The Torah and its role for man can be described by fire (see Yirmiyahu 23:29). After man’s characteristics are refined, there is no longer a need for struggles. Then the purpose of mitzvot will not be to refine man but to elevate his spirit greatly through a tranquility of knowledge of things that are said in a whisper. Since this quiet will come with a true knowledge of Hashem (see Yeshaya 11:9), this will force mankind as a whole to know Hashem and love His Kingdom, just as the lack of order necessitates people to accept an organized kingdom.
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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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.
