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The question begs asking: how does it become known what the place that Hashem will choose is? There is an early hint in the story ofakeidat Yitzchak, which took place in the Land of Moriah. "Avraham called the place ‘Hashem will see,’ as it will be said today, ‘on themountain of Hashem it will be seen’" (Bereishit 22:14). This connection to Moriah is made explicitly only in Divrei Hayamim (II:3:1): "Shlomo began to build the House of Hashem in Yerushalayim on Mount Moriah."
Chazal informed us that Shmuel Hanavi, Shaul Hamelech, and especially David Hamelech worked very hard in trying to uncover the desired place (see, for example, Yalkut Shimoni, Parashat Shoftim 910). There is a mizmor of Tehillim (132:1-5) that deals with this attempt: "A song of the steps – Hashem, remember for David all his toil, that he swore to Hashem, vowed to the Powerful of Yaakov, lest I enter into the protection of my house, lest I go onto my bed, lest I give sleep to my eyes, dozing off to my eyelids, until I find a place for Hashem, a dwelling for the Powerful of Yaakov."
Rabbi Moshe Ibn Nachman, the Ramban, who renewed the community of Yerushalayim 750 years ago, taught us a fascinating idea about "the place that Hashem will choose." He says (Devarim 17:15) that any place in which Bnei Yisrael would have built a Beit Hamikdashwould have been proven to be the place that Hashem desired that they choose. In other words, the choice of Bnei Yisrael, along with its kings which the nation chose, would have been a revelation of the Divine Will on the matter. This, in effect, gives the nation a collective status of a prophet. Just as there have been individuals, who through hard work and an exhaustive process, have reached the level of closeness to Hashem to turn them into prophets, so too the nation as a collective had the special power to reveal the location of the place that Hashem chose.
Let us pray that we too will be able to reveal the will of Hashem in other matters as well, in the merit of our forefathers and those of all the generations that preceded us, along with the merit of unity and showing love without particular cause. Then shall we merit fulfilling all themitzvot that depend on the place that Hashem will choose.
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)
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
