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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Yaakov Ben Behora
The result was that Jews lost interest altogether in seeking out a uniquely Jewish thought process. And even if by chance one were to stumble upon such a process, it was either ignored or quickly swept under the rug.
One of the more important Jewish traits - a trait which was weakened as a result of the influence of the nations - is the instinctive faith in a Creator and Overseer of the universe. The Jewish people are, in the words of the sages, "faithful believers, and the offspring of faithful believers." In contradistinction, "All non-Jews forget God."
The nations' forgetfulness regarding the Almighty is not the fruit of modern times (though some mistakenly believe this to be the case); ancient Greek philosophy already viewed heresy as an advanced form of thinking. Surprisingly, however, we find that the Judaism of the same era, despite its familiarity with Greek culture, chose to ignore entirely the sorts of theological problems which the Greeks raised; Judaism flatly refused to employ similar methods - even for the purpose of a counterattack. Judaism does not posses a philosophical tract dealing with religious skepticism. And if we do find something along these lines it exists in Philo who hailed from Alexandria in Egypt. The independent Jew, nurtured in independent Israel, was a religious believer by his very nature. He could only be perplexed by the speculative web within which the Gentile world was helplessly tangled. For him, the very question did not exist. Hence he was free from any sense of a need to respond. And while the experiences of Abaye and Rabba as recorded in the Talmud constituted the foundation of entire world of Jewish thought, and all attendant difficulties, interpretations, and details were milled and ground in the study halls of Israel and Babylon, still, the point of departure for all of this mental exertion (an exertion which possesses no counterpart in world literature, whether in depth or breadth) is the Torah. - and the most basic underlying principle of the Torah is: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."
Our consolation, then, will also be twofold in nature. But it will only come if together with our physical rebirth as a nation we return to the source of our existence; only if we free ourselves from the chains of European culture and thought in which, lacking any sense of self-worth, we have tied ourself.
The complete consolation will only arrive when we learn how to restore faith as our purest and most natural sense, when we understand that these notions of forgetting God so common to Europe are the continuation and outgrowth of an earlier, more ancient tendency. Only then will the true consolation arrive.
The Seven Weeks of Condolence God's Punishment and Comfort are our Support
Shiv'a de-Nechemta: The Philosophy of Comfort and Redemption - 4
Igrot Hare’aya Excitement over a Friend’s New Newspaper – #319
Date and Place: 4 Menachem Av 5670 (1910), Rechovot
Rabbis in Midrash
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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
