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Beit Midrash
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One of those trials was the fact that all of the Matriarchs were barren (even Leah; it was only because she was unloved by Yakov that Hashem, as an act of chesed, "opened her womb" and blessed her with many children).
But what was the underlying, "cosmic" reason for Sara, Rivka, Rachel and Leah being initially unable to bear children?
The classic answer given by the Midrash is that "Hashem desires the conversations and prayers of the righteous." Because of their great struggle to give birth, and the intense anxiety it caused them, these women were moved to reach out to Hashem in powerful, plaintive pleas that reached all the way to the Heavens. This process of seeking G-d and appealing to His Mida of mercy invariably created a much stronger bond with the Almighty, which, when all is said & done, is what He desires from each one of us.
But Chazal offer another fascinating reason for the barrenness. You see, All four of these great women were the products of an idolatrous
environment. Sara was the daughter of Charan; Rivka the daughter of Betuel, and Leah & Rachel the daughters of Lavan. A less than auspicious yichus (genealogy), to be sure.
Now, in most cases, there is a genetic dynamic that works its way through the generations from grandparent to parent to child. Not only on the physical level, but moral, ethical and significant personality traits are also passed down & contribute towards shaping the latest product of the family.
But if this were to have been true in the case of the Matriarchs, their offspring would have had an automatic "handicap" - namely, their predecessors’ unsavory habits - that might have hindered their becoming the next leaders of Am Yisrael.
And, so, the genetic train was "derailed," and the women were made incapable of continuing the direct line of reproduction. Only after they prayed and "transformed" themselves – as prayer has the power to do – did they become "new" creations who could now bear children and
keep the line going, but in a much more pristine fashion. This, then, was the higher reason behind their initial failure to conceive.
One of the primary lessons which we can learn from this amazing idea is that lack of a "pedigree" is never an impediment to rising to greatness. While some people may, indeed, be the latest installment in a long chain of distinguished ancestors, others can create their own dynasties, starting with.....themselves! And sometimes, it is precisely these special individuals, who "come out of nowhere" – Resh
Lakish, Rabbi Akiva and Theodore Herzl are just three that come to mind – who show all the others the way to go.
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)
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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.
