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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ki Tetze
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Yaakov Ben Behora
Further investigation uncovers the possibility that fathers and sons are punished because of one another, at least on a certain level. We will mention a few examples. (I) When the death penalty is invoked, the potential future descendants of the executed lose their opportunity to be born. (This phenomenon is alluded to, according to one explanation in Rashi, by the pasuk regarding Hevel: "The voice of the blood (plural) of your brother ..." (Bereishit 4:10)). (II) In the Ten Commandments, the Torah describes Hashem as One who "recalls the sins of fathers on sons and third and fourth generations (Shemot 20:4). (III) Several sections in Tanach tell of kings who executed the families of those who the kings found to have wronged them (see Melachim II, 9:25; Divrei Hayamim II, 25:4).
None of these examples raises problems with our pasuk. The case of the unborn, while tragic, is not a punishment to a person but to a potential unborn, which our pasuk does not address. The cases of the kings are not relevant because they were carried out against halacha. There are also distinctions that explain the apparent contradiction from the Ten Commandments. Rashi (ad loc.) brings the Midrash that offspring receive punishment through the father only until the age of bar mitzva, whereas our pasuk mentions "ish" (a man). The gemara (Sanhedrin 27b) says that children are punished when they continue their father’s sinful behavior.
We can summarize as follows. Human courts may not punish one generation for the sins of another. The unborn are not "protected" by this rule. Whoever punishes an offender’s children is acting improperly.
Chazal learned from our pasuk an additional halacha, which has been adopted, at least partially, by secular court systems. The Torah law, as derived from our pasuk, is that beit din does not accept a relative’s testimony, neither to vindicate nor to vilify the litigant. So which does our pasuk refer to, to punishment of one because of the other’s actions or to not accepting testimony of one about the other? The Ramban says that Chazal understood that the same words of the same pasuk refer to both, one on the level of p’shat (simple meaning) and one on the level of drash (Rabbinic extrapolation). We see here, as elsewhere, that the different levels of understanding need not contradict but can complement each other.
Let us pray that the positive deeds of the different generations will bring only blessings one onto the other.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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)
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)
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
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.
