YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah:The holy Torah is a blueprint of life that does not lead its followers to a life of abstinence from the pleasures of the physical world, as pleasures can raise a person’s personal level by bringing joy to his heart. Therefore, part of the characteristic of Torah is that it recognizes the need for a social life with friendships, which bring to the world a good life within society. This is particularly rewarding when one’s social group consists of good and scholarly people. Separation from other people and extreme asceticism, which is the approach of a significant portion of those people who, of their own, have sought closeness to Hashem, is a foreign idea to the Torah. For that reason, if one wants to acquire knowledge of Torah, he will succeed specifically by joining together with a group of learners, which shows the gains of avoiding isolation.
There are three main elements of danger when separating oneself from human interaction, especially for those who are involved in the world of philosophy and morality. Firstly one can be successful in improving the world through the ideas he studies only when his purity, fear of G-d, and understanding of Torah are accompanied by intellectual tolerance. It is crucial for the Torah thinker to deal openly with approaches to law, halacha, and even matters of morality that are different from his own viewpoint, so that he can fulfill "the truth and the peace shall you love" (Zecharia 8:19). This tolerance can only be achieved by a Torah scholar who studies Torah as part of a group and thereby becomes accustomed to different ways of thinking. Then he can see how the clear and straight approach is arrived at specifically by hearing a variety of scholarly views, in which the light of Hashem dwells.
When a person operates within a very narrow inner group and is unaware of a variety of people possessing logical but different approaches, he will not be able to stand viewpoints different from his own. This in turn is a strong cause of quarreling, which can bring to the "sword of discord" spreading throughout the nation, whether literally or figuratively. This unfortunate phenomenon starts from those who study Torah as individuals rather than study it with a spirit of "its sons/ its builders," as Chazal describe scholars who increase peace in the world (Berachot 64a).
The second problem of studying without a broad group is that the conclusions one arrives at are often wrong. Not only is the truth not attained intellectually, but the mistakes can cause one to sin in practice. Not only is a life of abstaining from permitted things a sin in and of itself (like a nazir who sins by forbidding wine upon himself), but a misguided rabbi can have a negative impact on society, if he does not arrive at clear conclusions, as is hinted at in one of the p’sukim the Rabbis cite in this context.
Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
