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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
The solution to this dilemma is at once simple and profound. Indeed, we cannot grasp God Himself, but we can perceive His doings in the world. Through His actions, God is perceived by us as creator and conductor of the entire universe. There is no place in all creation where He is absent, "His glory fills the earth" (from the Sabbath Keushah prayer). All of creation evinces the greatness of God's actions. We perceive God's absolute sovereignty over creation with all of our senses. As far as God's revelation through His actions, He is very close to us; regarding God's essence, He is sublime, transcendent, and beyond comprehension, and there is no adjective that can accurately describe Him. He is above all.
The sages hinted at this idea when they said God resembles the soul of man in five respects:
1. Just as the soul fills the body, so God fills the world.
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
16 - 14. Contradictions between Science and Torah
17 - 15. Perceiving God
18 - 16. God's Hand in Nature
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3. Just as the soul sustains the body, so God sustains the world.
4. Just as the soul is pure and above the body, so God is pure and above the world.
5. Just as the soul resides in the innermost chambers, so God resides in the innermost chambers.
Though the soul itself cannot be seen, it is revealed through the actions of the body. Even though the soul itself is invisible, speech and every bodily movement testify to the existence of this inner life force. Similarly, God Himself can be neither seen nor felt, but His existence is revealed through His actions. This is the profundity of the faith that permeates man's entire being, saying, "There is none like You, God." Such a faith lifts man to the highest of heights, to a place which the eye cannot penetrate and the mind cannot grasp.
According to this principle, the sages fixed the wording of the benedictions so that they begin in the personal (second person) - "Blessed are You ..." - and then change over to the impersonal (third person) - "...Who has sanctified us..."
The sages did this in order to teach us the proper manner of relating to the Almighty. On the one hand, He reveals himself to us; on the other, He is hidden from us. He reveals Himself to us through His actions, and it is through His actions that we become acquainted with Him; yet, He Himself remains hidden from us.
"You are He" - there is no contradiction here, rather, an accurate description of God. Hence, "You are He - the first, and You are He - the last, and without You we have no saving and redeeming king."
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
