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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
Yet, the claim that the nonreligious stand for freedom and the religious believe in coercion is superficial and mistaken. To the contrary, the goal of achieving freedom from foreign influences lies at the very foundation of religion. According to religion, the root of all sin is the external influences which sways a person from his true inner desire.
This was Adam's sin: he heeded a foreign call—he was tempted by the voice of Eve. This was Eve's sin as well—she was tempted by the snake. Adam did not answer God, saying, "I ate of my own desire." Rather, he said, "the woman influenced me." And the woman did not say "I ate of my own accord." Rather, she said to God, "The snake caused me to to eat." Their sin was that they allowed themselves to be influenced by others and did not remain faithful to their inner selves. When God asked Adam, "Where are you?" Adam did not know how to give a clear answer. God was not merely inquiring as to Adam's physical location, "Where are you standing?" The Almighty's "Where are you?" was addressed to Adam on a spiritual plane—"Who are you?" "Which path have you chosen to take?" Adam did not know how to answer because he had lost himself. He had betrayed his essence, following after foreign influences and bowing down before a foreign God.
This was also the sin of the moon. The Midrash tells us that originally the sun and moon were the same size. The moon, who was not satisfied with this arrangement, wanted more than what befitted her. The moon complained, "Two kings cannot rule with the same crown." She wanted to be the only ruler. She wanted to take the sun's portion for herself, to be something that she really was not. The sin here is that the moon deviated from her true natural essence. In essence, this is the root of all sin in the world: man deviates from his true inner self and fails to give voice to his unique inner nature. This is true of both the individual and group. The group also has an essential uniqueness of its own which it must protect. It must resist the temptation to follow foreign gods. Israel, too, must protect its uniqueness, and be true to its essential Israeli character, its inner desire. We must do this with complete freedom, without any alien exterior pressure. We must be what we really are.
We find, then, that the true ambition of religion is the ambition to achieve complete freedom. This freedom makes it possible for a person to reveal his true inner nature. This, as we have noted, is as true for the nation as it is for the individual. We, the Nation of Israel, must throw off all foreign and coercive influences and become what we really are. What we really are is written in the Torah, which was given to us by the Creator Himself, He Who chose us from amongst all the nations.
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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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)
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
