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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: The study of the accepted halachot of the Torah is very broad, providing the Torah’s instructions for a tremendous amount of practical cases. The many accepted halachot, if they are understood correctly, are sufficient to serve as the basis for solutions for all the new questions that arise. The problem is that in regard to cases that are offshoots of the standard sources, one needs great wisdom to avoid mistakes, specifically in comparing one thing to another when the two are not sufficiently equivalent.
Bekiut (amassing of knowledge) can be compared to a place where the essence of the Torah is stored, even as the offshoots end up being more numerous than the essence. However, even the new applications are related to the accepted conceptual roots of the matter. Bekiut then is the place that can accept the new matters into storage. There is a need, though, for a positive action and one of negating. Bekiut can positively amass answers for many halachot that cover the spectrum of matters related to the explicit sources. The matter of negating is the main purpose of sharpness – to weed out mistakes that can arise when applying the principles to new cases. Preventing such mistakes requires extreme wisdom.
We now can see the appropriateness of the metaphors the gemara uses – with sinai representing bekiut and oker harim representing sharpness. Mt. Sinai was chosen as the place where the Torah was given. The other mountains of the world were uprooted from the possibility of this distinction and are considered as blemished in comparison to Sinai (see Bereishit Rabba 99:1). Thus Sinai represents two things: its positive choice for the receiving of the Torah and the negating of the other mountains as venues. So too, the true applications of Torah logic that relate to the giving of the Torah at Sinai need to pass the test of uprooting mountains, i.e., weeding out that which would be a mistaken application and showing that they are not connected to Sinai. After removing the false, the truth stands out.
The question arose: which characteristic has priority for Torah leadership. There is logic that the rabbinic leader be one who is more prepared to be a resource for the leaders and great scholars of the generation, even if the simple masses have little direct benefit from him. This is because the impact that the Rosh Yeshiva has on the elite trickles down to all the individuals and elevates them.
There is, though, logic to the contrary – the work of the Rosh Yeshiva should be of direct impact on the masses. The knowledge of the sinai is something that is needed and appreciated by the broad constituency. The oker harim is exclusively helpful to the scholarly elite. That is why the answer given was that a sinai has precedence, and it is hinted to in the reason the gemara gave: "all need the owner of the grain." It is the fact that all need him that is the deciding factor, to the exclusion of one who is valuable to the few elite.
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)
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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
