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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Gemara: Hillel said to Shamai: "Why is it that [you rule that] we are to harvest grapes in purity and not olives in purity?" Shamai answered: "If you give me a hard time, I will decree impurity even on the harvest of olives."
Ein Ayah: The foundation of the laws of purity is primarily in regard to the Temple, as the Rambam wrote in Moreh Nevuchim (III:47) that this elevates the value of the Temple, entrenching in the souls that it is the center of the lives of the nation and the individual.
The enjoyments of life can be broken into two: simcha (joy) and ta’anug (pleasure). The classic substance that brings joy is wine, as the pasuk says: "Wine brings joy to the heart of man" (Tehillim 104:15). The classic substance that brings pleasure is oil, as the Rabbis say that smearing oil is like drinking, based on the pasuk: "Like oil in his bones" (ibid. 109:18). Applying oil brings a softening and an indulging feeling of pleasure. This is why its use is especially prominent for kings, like the six months for the women brought before King Achashveirosh (see Esther 2:13; Shabbat 111a).
One cannot expect a whole nation to be pious to the extent that all their joy and pleasure will involve pure vessels. This is not just because of the tendency toward lowly materialism but because of the special level that the Temple must occupy. In order to sanctify Israel from amongst the nations, our holy Rabbis decided to entrench in our hearts the idea that acts of enjoyment should be only for mitzvot. In general, a Jew’s nature should be to not get carried away with playing and dancing just for empty fun like the nations do. In contrast, pleasure, such as eating and drinking, is something the nation will not be on a level to limit to the context of mitzvot.
Why should there be a difference between these two natural experiences, and why then should dealing with wine have to be in purity [according to Shamai]? It is possible to expect the wine of joy to be only for a high purpose but not that oil of pleasure will be such for the masses. One might think that the Torah should not make its yoke too heavy and not impose laws of purity on the harvest of grapes. By extension, Hillel suggested that man has too much tendency toward desiring exuberant joy to limit it for those who do not find extreme joy in spirituality.
However, [Shamai responded] that if Hillel would give him a hard time, he would extend the decree to oil. There is a big difference between joy and pleasure. Pleasure is limited to the body that receives it. It is feasible to direct every individual to a high level of sanctity. However, joy expresses itself specifically in the presence of many people, in which case there is good reason to want to keep that setting a holy one. If one equates the experiences of joy and pleasure and suggests that neither require purity, then he will not see the difference between Israel and the other nations or between regular days and sacred days. In that case, he will not see the dangers of wine and other alcoholic beverages, or of silliness. If so, there is logic to raise the limitations on pleasure to that which will specifically bring sanctity and other good things.
There is a big difference between the two matters. The public as a unit can reach the level of not engaging in frivolous activities like the nations in public outside the context of mitzvot. On joy we put limitations, on pleasure not (see Shabbat 62b). Joy is a power of the spirit. When it is applied nicely, with purity and sanctity, it can bring him to such a level that an individual will choose to use even his pleasures in the same way and to also harvest olives in purity.
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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)
