YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Gemara: Rav Yehoshua the son of Rav Idi came to Rav Ashi’s home. They prepared for him the third calf of its mother (a choice type of meat). They said to him: "Will our master please eat?" He told them that he was in the midst of a fast day. They said to him: "Do you not accept that which Rav Yehuda said: "A person can ‘borrow’ the fast [he accepted upon himself] and ‘pay it back’ [a different day]."
Ein Ayah: There is a rule about mitzvot and obligations of the Torah, especially in matters between man and Hashem. They are supposed to have a desired impact not only in general but even on every individual to make him close to Hashem and bring him to holy actions, characteristics, and viewpoints. On the other hand, a person’s life has to continue normally, without the Torah making overly taxing moral demands on him, as the Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:6) says regarding the Torah acting harmoniously with nature.
Although the goal is that the Torah will make the maximum contribution to every individual, the Torah is still addressed to the community as a whole and its needs. It is forbidden for the individual to "break through the fences" and change limitations and times, even if according to a person’s specific level and situation it would have been better for him had the mitzva been in a different manner or time. This is because the individual has no right to demand that his particular spiritual needs be addressed in the face of unchanging details of the ways of the Torah.
On the other hand, there are opportunities for individual service of Hashem, such as accepting vows and becoming a nazir, through which an individual can construct certain unique added guidelines for himself that are in consonance with his personal needs. There are a variety of related forms that such an approach of accepting additional practices that fit one’s approach of sanctity and piety can take. One of them is a ta’anit yachid (fast of the individual).
Since its whole purpose is to align the personal spiritual needs to correspond to the regular halachot’s appropriateness for the entire community, this sends the message that the standard rules are immutable and cannot be compromised by the individual. To strengthen this message, it is proper that the parameters of such additions of the individual be as flexible to the changing needs of the individual as can be. In that way, the individual can be especially spiritually served while not harming the rules made for the entire community [by equating one with the other].
For that reason, when one has accepted a standard ta’anit yachid, it is possible to "borrow and pay back" if the original day does not presently coincide with his spiritual or even his physical needs. That is indeed in line with the distinction – the community’s obligations are set and unchanging; the special additions for the individual are flexible and fluid.
Ein Ayah Forcing the Liberated Soul to Deal with the Bitter Truth
Ein Aya Shabbat chapter B Paragraph 160
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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)
