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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Va'etchanan
"And you shall observe and do, for it is your knowledge and your wisdom in the eyes of the nations" (Devarim 4:6). The sefer Torah was always the book of knowledge and wisdom. Different cultures and all sorts of different books entered the world sphere, and yet our book remains the Book of Books, the holiest and most important of all books. There is practically no language in the world, from the most distant land, that the Torah has not been translated into and where it is not sold. Our land, which was promised to us, is also held in great esteem by the nations as the "Holy Land." They consider it sacred and worthy of admiration. Nations even hold us to be a special nation, and our scholars have often been revered. All who were in contact with us realized that we have something special. Even in the time that we were subjugated by the Romans, there was a movement of Romans who wanted to convert to Judaism.
The problem is that we do not always see the greatness within ourselves. At times, the Holy Book is not at all holy in the eyes of part of the youngsters. Instead of "our knowledge and our wisdom," they want to learn the wisdom of other nations. There is no greater chillul Hashem than this. "They came among the nations … and they desecrated the Name of Hashem, when it was said of them, ‘They are nation of Hashem …’" (Yechezkel 36:20). Moshe Rabbeinu did not merit entering Eretz Yisrael because he caused a chillul Hashem, but the level of his wrongdoing was very minute, and that was enough to cost him.
From the place where we are at, how much must we toil to have Hashem’s Name sanctified by our actions? How does one do it? Chazaltell us that one should be a person who is deeply involved in Torah and speak in a calm way with people, so that they will say: "Fortunate is the one who taught him Torah." Making Hashem who gave us the Torah beloved based on our actions is a kiddush Hashem. The opposite is achillul Hashem (Yoma 86a).
If one is responsible for creating a kiddush Hashem or a chillul Hashem, respectively, among the nations, then certainly we must be careful how our fellow Jews view things. After all, we find within thehalachot of not violating the Torah under duress that public desecration is referring to doing so in front of a group of Jews (see Sanhedrin 74b).
We need to try to be at our best in our actions, our mode of behavior, our speech, and our thoughts. In that way, all will be able to recognize that we are members of the nation that Hashem blessed. Everyone should sanctify himself regarding his pure thought and being careful about how his time is spent and with what energy level we spend it, so that we will act to increase the power of mitzvot and the pleasantness of the Torah.
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
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
Lessons
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
