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Beit Midrash
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The Torah repeatedly stresses the importance of conducting one’s life according to God’s standards, namely, the מצוות, the commandments. One who adheres to these standards will enjoy material prosperity and happiness.
The previous chapter of the Torah discusses the laws of יובל/the Jubilee, when all agricultural and financial matters are surrendered to God’s will. Observance of these laws renews the natural processes that bring prosperity. However, that renewal and, indeed, the entire well-being of the Jewish people, are tied to the observance of God’s laws.
Torah observance applies to each of us as individuals and to the community as a whole. There are three kinds of laws that govern a God-driven society. Two of these categories of laws, חוקים and מצוות, are mentioned in this verse. (The third category - משפטים - is mentioned earlier.) These terms define the different types of laws and their purpose in society.
The word חוקים is from the root ח-ק-ק "to circumscribe to protect a basic value." The word מצוות is from the root צ-ו-ה "to delegate authority while retaining control." Cognates of this root connote a type of expansion which, in the case of צ-ו-ה, imply a widening and deepening of the circle of authority.
In addition to different kinds of laws, the Torah speaks of different categories of observance. We find three different verbs used to describe the observance of God’s laws: תלכו/to move toward a goal; תשמרו/to observe; and ועשיתם/do.
The word תלכו is from the root ה-ל-ך "to progress to a goal." The word תשמרו is from the root ש-מ-ר "to protect." The word עשיתם is from the root ע-ש-ה "to make" or to do.
The חוקים are generally laws that circumscribe and limit an individual's activity, typically in the area of morality. Contrary to popular belief, they are not arbitrary laws without rhyme or reason; rather, the חוקים limit one’s physical appetite and dictate the basic norms of human morality. Without them, a person loses his humanity and his identity as a human. Hence, observing the חוקים entails הליכה, making an effort to curb one’s pursuit of possessions and pleasures.
The second category, מצוות, constitutes all the other commandments through which God’s goals for society will be realized. Hence, they require שמירה/to learn and inculcate His commandments and ensure they are maintained. They also require עשיה, faithful performance. These actions will make the Jew an intellectually clear thinker and conscientious human being.
Copyright © 2014, Matityahu Clark. All Rights Reserved. This is an excerpt from the forthcoming Hirsch At Your Table, a collection of brief divrei torah based on R. Samson Raphael Hirsch’s Torah Commentary.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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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.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
