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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
What is the nature of sinat chinam that existed at a time of Torah,mitzvot, and even gemilut chasadim? It appears that the hatred arose specifically through the Torah they studied and the mitzvot they performed. This period, of late Bayit Sheni, is one in which machloket(dispute) in halacha became a matter of course, starting with the major disputes of Beit Shamai and Beit Hillel. While these were disputes with proper intentions (Avot 5:17), apparently, in addition to the machloket on specific halachic issues, there was a machloket on how to go about halachic dispute.
"For three years Beit Shamai and Beit Hillel disputed, with these saying, ‘the halacha is like us’ and the other one saying, ‘the halacha is like us.’ A heavenly voice emerged, saying: ‘These and those are the words of the living G-d,’ but the halacha is like Beit Hillel’" (Eruvin 13a). The gemara explains the reason for Beit Hillel’s prominence: "They were easy going, allowed themselves to be insulted, and would mention Beit Shamai’s teachings along with and even before their own."
From the behavior of Beit Hillel, we can infer what Beit Shamai’s practice was. Chazal thereby hinted at their criticism of disputation done without patience for another’s opinion and the resulting disrespect for him. On one hand, the new situation that a broad spectrum of halachic issues was disputed is a sign that the level of Torah learning had deteriorated. On the other hand, the different rabbis had the right to decide matters according to what they believed to be true. Even if I think that another is wrong, I must respect him for doing what he believes is correct. One who fights vociferously with his counterpart or disgraces him because he has a different opinion not only does not remove the machloket but spreads it to other areas. It sharpens themachloket until it creates not only different opinions but different camps. This is the sinat chinam that caused the Beit Hamikdash’s destruction.
Such opposing philosophies can exist at any time, most certainly in ours. The Religious Zionist camp and those who claim to have only Torah differ as to understanding the events of our time. While the disagreement could be a healthy phenomenon, it has gone beyond that.
I was always happy to point out that our (Religious Zionist) camp does not fail in the realm of sinat chinam in this matter. For example, we would donate to all yeshivot and welcome guests of the "opposing camp." I have been very pained recently at the lack of respect toward those in the other camp, for example by removing their protest signs and threatening against protests against chillul Shabbat. Since when ischillul Shabbat sectarian within the religious community?! Where is the respect for the dignity of our fellow human being, especially for those who keeps Torah and mitzvot even if we think they are "too religious"? Haven’t we been affected by their tactics, the ones we have rejected in the past?
Let the time of the Three Weeks serve as a reminder of the sins of the past, which should keep us away from sinat chinam in our times.
Rabbis in Midrash
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The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.