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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
Shmuel invoked the heavens, bringing about a powerful summertime thunderstorm (a rare occurrence in Israel), to prove that his reaction to the demand of a king was warranted. The people were so convinced that they begged Shmuel to pray that they should not die. Shmuel responded with the strangest of lines, "Do not fear; you have done all of this evil ..." (Shmuel I, 12:20). What does that mean? If they did evil, then they have a lot to fear.
A central difference between monarchy and other forms of leadership is that monarchy is inherited (Devarim 17:20). Even if a proper king is chosen, his son who succeeds him can bring on devastating consequences and is rarely able to be replaced. We find the righteous Chizkiyahu succeeded by the wicked Menashe, who ruled for 55 years. Thus, monarchy is national Russian roulette. Previously Hashem had handpicked the appropriate leader according to the generation’s needs and merits (see Shmuel I, 12:11). In effect, Bnei Yisrael asked for political normalcy at the expense of Divine Providence.
Shmuel’s enigmatic statement was actually two-pronged. Bnei Yisrael’s request was not a punishable sin, as the Torah made provisions for monarchy, and, therefore, there was no reason to fear imminent death. However, since they had requested it improperly (however you explain it) they would not merit the Divine protections to minimize the potential abuses of monarchy. In that way, they were to blame for all of the future consequences that flowed from a system that through the generations would bring on sin, torment, and destruction. Although "you have done all of this evil," the pasuk continues, "do not stray from Hashem and serve Him with all your hearts." In other words, even if Bnei Yisrael’s improper request put them in a difficult predicament, nationally and religiously, they still had the ability to rectify matters with exceptional dedication to Hashem.
In personal lives, people make many decisions that are not between permitted and forbidden, but are still decisions that set the stage for the likely course of their lives. A choice of spouse, a profession, a neighborhood, and children’s education are examples of choices that may not be between assur or mutar, but whose consequences could be as costly as the biggest sin or, hopefully, as rewarding as the greatest mitzva. May we all choose well.
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)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
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.
