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- Ein Aya
Ein Ayah: Hashem created man in a way that he is fit to seek wisdom, and being happy and at ease when studying Torah is fundamentally appropriate. However, man is no longer in his pure state because of his sins and the sins of his parents, resulting in the desire for knowledge being replaced by desires of lowly external matters. Therefore, when one begins to study Torah, he usually has to overcome obstacles stemming from his coarse nature instead of being able to experience joy alone.
It is fine to have to toil, for which man is born (Iyov 5:7). Once we have sanctified ourselves sufficiently in the ways of Torah, we return to the original natural state at which Torah study is pleasant. It is a mistake to try to make all levels of learning, including for beginners, fun. It is not through fun that a wild spirit turns into a scholar, but it is the Torah that one learns with hard work that does this (see Yalkut Shimoni, Kohelet 2). It is nice to learn Torah in a state of happiness, but one should not make it a priority, as it has only an external connection to wisdom, and it can come at a later stage. If one sees it as something to seek at an early stage, then it trains him to avoid the type of toil and search for truth that should characterize earlier stages. The divine gift of deriving joy from Torah study is reserved for those who have put in the work and familiarized themselves with the sweet light of truth.
Heat is a very useful force in the world, but it is destructive for he who tries to use it at the wrong time and manner. Similarly, a beginner student who still needs his teacher to expose him to the truth of Torah must have a measure of bitterness on his lips, for if he is looking just for pleasantness, then he will be burnt from the process. The idea of burning is appropriate from the perspective of approaching the "fire of Torah" in an inappropriate way. This will cause him to lose the possible intellectual/spiritual development that could have brought him true joy if he had acquired it at the right time.
A rose is the most beautiful of flowers. It excites the external sense of vision. The grandeur of wisdom and enjoyment that it can bring are pleasant. However, it is not external beauty that is important but the acquisition of internal good, such as grasping truth, which is represented by mor (a perfume), which impacts a person’s soul. The student who is beginning must know to concentrate on the internal and the depth of Torah and be ready to give up much comfort for that purpose. This is "mar over" (passing bitterness). If one tastes the bitterness, it will be passing, and he will merit that the wisdom will cause him great pleasantness and joy. This is on condition that he does not view the words of Torah as songs (see Sanhedrin 101a) and does not demand that they be entertaining from the beginning in a childish manner. Through toil and hard work in the beginning one arrives at great light and an area surrounded by rosebushes. Even in the beginning, it is only the lips, i.e., the external part, that experiences the bitterness, which one should accept with love. Internally, the soul benefits immediately from the efforts to acquire wisdom, as the pasuk says: "It is good for me for I have afflicted myself to learn Your statutes" (Tehillim 119:71).
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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
