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The giants are mentioned already in Sefer Bereishit (14:5). The context there is the battles of the enemies of Avraham, the four kings who were led by Amrafel, who Chazal identify as Nimrod, the tyrannical king who threw Avraham into a furnace. When Avraham emerged safe and victorious after defeating these kings and liberating his captive nephew Lot, there was a victory celebration in Emek Hamelech, which was attended by Malki-Tzedek, the King of Shalem (Yerushalayim).
The next generation to fight the giants of the region was that of David, the descendant of Ruth the Moavite, a descendant of Lot. David and his friends killed Goliat and "children of Rafah," who is identified as Orpah, sister-in-law of Ruth (see Shmuel II: 21:16-22 and Sota 42b). In a talk I have presented on Yom Yerushalayim, I mentioned that after David’s killing of Goliat, he brought the latter’s decapitated head to Yerushalayim.
At that point, a circle that had been begun at the time of Avraham was completed. Avraham was the first to see a special cloud over Mt.Moriah, signifying its sanctity and importance to him and future generations. The Divine Presence that dwelled at that place spread out over the entire Land of Canaan, turning it into the Land of Israel. Avraham, who was the father of the believers of his time, received theLand of Israel for the nation that he began in the merit of this belief. He knew that there were intimidating giants throughout the Land. Hashem sent Nimrod, of all people, a non-believer in Hashem, to defeat the giants. This actually made it easier for Avraham’s descendants to acquire the Land. Kalev was another believer among those weak in belief, and he continued the job of killing giants who tried to stop Bnei Yisrael from acquiring the Land. David was chosen by Divine Providence to continue the job by killing Goliat and bringing his head to Yerushalayim. In that way, David proved that he was continuing the tradition of fighting the giants. He was the father of a Kingdom of Israelthat was based on justice and charity in the Land given to Avraham and the sons of his grandson, Yaakov.
The battle for control of Eretz Yisrael is a long and exhausting one. Only one who is armed with a great amount of belief will merit seeing a State of Israel that is built in full glory and founded on justice and charity. Shortcuts and magical solutions largely contradict the approaches of Avraham and David.
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)
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
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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)
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.
