YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Behar
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
One reason for this commandment is to prevent a situation whereby wealthy people will gain control of the lands of the lower social strata and take advantage of them. However just a few p’sukim later, the Torah says: "Should a man sell a house in a walled city, he shall be able to redeem it until the completion of a year from the time of his sale...[afterward] the house that is in the city will be established as the buyer’s for eternity for his generations" (ibid 29-30). We have to try to understand why the Torah strayed in this case from the aforementioned principle. The Sefer Hachinuch (#330) tries to answer by saying that the finality of the sale in walled cities is a penalty the Torah placed upon the seller because of the love of the Land. But what is the nature of this penalty?
The laws of the walled city may be an example of conflicting interests. On one hand, the Torah opposes a person’s acquiring permanent ownership by buying land in Eretz Yisrael. On the other hand, homes in a walled city have great significance from a security perspective, and there is a public interest that their ownership not be transferred often. Therefore, the Torah penalized the seller by saying that if he sells the house, he will have only a year to redeem it. It is the latter, security concern that prevails here.
There are at least another two halachot where the public, security concerns take precedence over even spiritual considerations.
1) There is a halacha of ir hanidachat, that a city where most inhabitants are involved in idolatry is destroyed. However, the laws of ir hanidachat do not apply to a border city, because its destruction would make it easier for the enemy to infiltrate and destroy the country (Rambam, Avodah Zara 4:4). This exception to the rule gives precedence to security concerns over the spiritual danger of keeping the city intact.
2) In general, no monetary considerations justify violating Shabbat. Yet, when a border city is under siege, even if the stated issue is monetary, Jews can go out on Shabbat and use normal means to defend it (including chillul Shabbat, because of its strategic, security importance (Eruvim 45a).
Let us pray for the coming of days when the laws of walled cities will apply without fear of real-estate tycoons usurping power and when security factors will be only a theoretical factor.
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)
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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)
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.
