YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Gemara: If a human king makes a decree, it is questionable whether people will adhere to it, and even if they do, it is only in his lifetime. In contrast, Moshe Rabbeinu made several decrees and enactments, and they are intact for all time. Is it not correct that which Shlomo said: "I praise the dead, who already died" (Kohelet 4:2)?!
Ein Ayah: It is a big question whether the essence of human beings is on the rise or the decline. Careful consideration shows that there is a difference between that which transpires to mankind and people’s essence.
People’s essence has not improved at all over time, even though many external things have occurred that have advanced mankind by providing us with much intelligence based on experience and accumulated knowledge. Any wise person will realize that essence is the more important matter. Since regarding essence, the great people of the later generations are on a lower level to that of earlier generations, we conclude that earlier generations are overall on a higher level.
It is the Divine Providence that creates a distinction between leadership in regard to essence and in regard to matters of occurrences. Occurrences change, and therefore the rules of divine leadership that affect them change as well. Therefore, one cannot relate to the overarching rules as definite matters but rather doubtful ones that rely upon external things.
Matters of essence do not change. This applies to the sevenmitzvot given to gentiles according to their spiritual needs. Similarly, when Bnei Yisrael received a special essence along with their separation from the nations when they received the Torah, those laws of the Torah also do not change.
Kingdom relates to the elements of human existence that are related to changing occurrences. This leadership is expected to be fleeting along with the changing times to which it relates. That is why the gemara says that a king’s decrees are doubtfully fulfilled, and that since it relies upon external factors, it ends with his death.
The Torah of Moshe, which is built on the essence of Israel, has an independent eternal nature, like their essence itself. To facilitate this, Hashem chose to put in the earlier generations spiritual giants unparalleled in future generations who could pass on His unchanging word in the way necessary for eternal decrees. In that way, later generations are impacted by earlier generations, which makes the earlier generations greater. Hashem wanted for the Torah to be given in the first generation that the nation was granted its special essence and through the good agency of Moshe Rabbeinu. This would impact on all innate elements of our lives. This teaches us that matters of essence are greater than matters that rely upon occurrences.
Therefore, one should not be overly impressed with external matters for which the later generations have become proud. Rather, later generations should realize that they need to learn from the earlier ones. This is why Hashem had to make sure that the early generations had giants, starting with Moshe Rabbeinu and continuing with other prophets, who were so perfect in essence that they have not been replicated.
That is why the pasuk says that we are to praise the dead who have already died, because later generations indeed must look up to those who come from the past, especially Moshe Rabbeinu, the trustworthy shepherd, whose name will last for eternity. The Torah is called "the Torah of My servant Moshe" (Malachi 3:22), and this is what the gemara means by Moshe’s decrees and enactments. This teaches that the greatest level can come from early history, before all the great volume of occurrences and acquired experience began. This is different from what some people view as the elevation of the later generations who have, in external ways, grown from experience.
Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
