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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Tazria
So why are they put together in the same Sedra?!
The Lubavitcher Rebbe offers great insight to this strange combination of emotions, perfect for chodesh Nisan which begins this week!
To understand, he says, we have to say a few words about the concept of reward & punishment. Both words are misleading; a much better term to use would be "consequences." Hashem does not seek to harm us, or even to "pay" us for adhering to His will. But he does want us to come to the realization that A) Everything he commands us to do in our lives is for our own good, not His; and B) There will be consequences that perforce will flow from whatever choices we make and, whether "good" or "bad", these consequences will help to steer our neshama to its rightful place.
When a person does not act in a G-dly fashion, & slanders others around him, he is really harming himself. People will start to avoid him, so that they do not also become the victim of his diatribes. He will lose friends, become a loner, & he will fall into depression & bitterness.
But there is a cure for this. When the Torah declares such a slanderer tamei, ritually impure, he is put into quarantine, apart from the community. There, in isolation, he can begin his rehabilitation process. Because he is now alone, with no one to speak to, he will physically not be able to slander anyone! He will think long & hard about why he has been set apart from others. He will hopefully grasp the truth about the error of his ways, & this will start him on the road to being a more perfect person. This, in turn, will result in more blessings flowing to him.
As his faults shrink, his good midot will undoubtedly expand & it will be a "win-win-win" situation - for him, for his fellow Jews & for Hashem!
This is the connection to the opening part of our parsha, the link to the subject of conception & birth. The consequences of our actions allow us to achieve a spiritual "rebirth," to regain some of that pristine innocence which we had when we first came into this world as a neshem Hashem, a breath of G-d. Our souls will be cleansed & we will emerge, literally, a new person!
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(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)
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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
