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- Ein Aya
Ein Ayah: There are two opposite mistakes that are made regarding how to properly deal with a person’s natural inclinations. A person is born with an untamed nature, which has to be developed. However, this should not be done by trying to totally negate his nature, for this will not succeed. Rather, he should use wisdom to determine the purposes of his characteristics and integrate them in a manner that serves the purposes for which they were created. Therefore, it is a mistake to despise a characteristic and try to eradicate it.
On the other hand, it is also a mistake to accept one’s characteristics and build a lifestyle around them as they are. This is an approach of evil that leads to death. Rather, one should avoid the lowly path that can lead from the characteristics and use them to carry out intellectual/spiritual goals, along the lines of divine and moral norms.
Happiness is a normal characteristic of healthy people. However, such happiness, when unbridled, can be connected to matters so lowly and absurd as to melt in the face of the intellect. The happiness that is connected to sensual desires will not really satisfy a person and will lead to disappointment when he discovers their emptiness.
However, these observations should not bring people to reject the gift of happiness. Rather, we should take this healthy tool and fill it with truthful applications. We should internalize the idea that happiness was made for these proper goals, not to try to satisfy one’s wild fantasies. Thus, the gemara advises to apply Kohelet’s questioning of the value of happiness to happiness that is not related to mitzvot, where over-exuberance is childish and spiritually damaging. What is positive issimcha of mitzva, which includes happiness about having grasped truth about Hashem and His Torah, the joy of having performed acts of goodness and kindness, and performing all of the obligations of the Torah and the intellect, in action and in thought with happiness. When one does so, he will uncover the great potential of his characteristic of happiness and establish it according to its essential nature.
This is what the pasuk means by "praising the happiness," referring to the specific and natural happiness that applies to a person in the depth of his spirit, after he has elevated himself with wisdom, piety, and ethics. Indeed, simcha of mitzva, i.e., happiness connected to honest intellect, is praiseworthy. In contrast, when happiness remains in its low level, it will not last over time, as life and intellect will "slap it in the face" and say, "What is happiness there for?" Childish reveling is based on falseness and nothingness. It only appears, from a distance, to be real happiness, but it is revealed by investigation to be false. Rather, happiness exists in order to be connected to mitzvot. "I will rejoice in Hashem; I will have joy in the G-d of my salvation" (Chabakuk 3:18). About the type of happiness that celebrates intellectual attainment and following the proper lifestyle and mode of behavior, it is said, "The heart of those who seek Hashem will be happy" (Tehillim 105:3).
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
