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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: It is true that the greatness of a person’s obligation in the service of Hashem has to be engrained in him. He must have holy actions and paths. He must straighten his thoughts and attributes very clearly until he realizes the great unlikelihood that even his greatest efforts to pursue goodness and righteousness will enable him to fulfill his obligations fully. Therefore, the righteous view themselves as incomplete and possess a special type of humility.
However, this trait of lack of satisfaction in one’s righteousness should not have too much impact on a person to the extent that it steals his tranquility and happiness and thereby diminishes his intellect, Torah knowledge, and every good attribute. Therefore, the Torah provided a reminder that a person must feel satisfaction and even verbalize that he has done good things. This realization strengthens the emotion he puts into his service of Hashem, making it proper to have satisfaction and joy when he has fulfilled his obligations and not always view himself as lacking. Just as the soul benefits greatly when one admits his sins, so is there value in declaring his mitzvot.
Admittedly, one’s self-critical declarations should exceed those of self-credit, to avoid a tendency toward laziness. That is why the Torah set a declaration that accompanies the mitzvot of separating and giving certain obligatory contributions. These mitzvot encompass all six categories of obligations of the Torah and the intellect: negative mitzvot, positive mitzvot, mitzvot of the community, mitzvot of the individual, mitzvot between man and Hashem, and mitzvot between man and his fellow man.
Being careful not to eat tevel is an example of a negative commandment. The separation of tithes, the calling of the name of each, and the giving of each to its proper recipient are positive mitzvot. The specific mitzva to give the gifts is a mitzva of the individual, whereas the general idea of sustaining the kohanim so that they can lead the service of Hashem and teach Torah is a mitzva of the community. Considering the recipients’ rights to their portions is a mitzva between man and his fellow man. The concept of teruma’s sanctity and the need to remove the prohibition from the tevel are examples of mitzvot between man and Hashem.
Thus, properly adhering to the many obligations of special donations encompasses the gamut of man’s obligations to man. Therefore, the mitzva to make a declaration upon completing these mitzvot correctly reminds us of the general principle that we should not exaggerate our harsh outlook on our own spiritual achievements. Rather we should view ourselves honestly with open eyes and knowledge of how to be happy in our heart when we have done good deeds. Then we can look for our shortcomings and act strongly to fix them, with the help of the impetus created by the contrast between our happiness from achievement and disappointment from moral failure.
Therefore, we need declarations of mitzva fulfillment along with declarations of sin and healthy measures of straightness and modesty. One’s feeling of modesty should make him reluctant to announce his achievements. That is why he makes the declaration at the last possible moment, at the end of the last day of the holiday. This demonstrates that he is declaring his goodness only to fulfill the obligation with which Hashem presented him.
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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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.
