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Our parasha starts innocuously, with Yaakov back in his father’s land, and, as Rashi (bid. 2) points out, he desired to live in tranquility. Yaakov had gone through enough: fleeing his brother, hard work for and trickery from his father-in-law, danger from the abductors of his daughter. With these external threats over, he hoped for a smooth life. However, rest was not the lot of Yaakov, who, more than any other person, symbolizes the nation that bears his name. At this time, an episode of discord between his sons began to unfold, revealing great difficulties until the end of Sefer Bereishit. This would end with the fulfillment of the prophecy to Avraham: "Your offspring will be strangers in a land not theirs, and they will subjugate and afflict them for 400 years" (ibid. 15:13). Chazal (Bereishit Rabba 4:3) poignantly attached the following pasuk to this idea: "I did not have tranquility, and was not quiet, and I did not rest, and agitation came" (Iyov 3:26). The lack of: tranquility – refers to problems with Eisav; quiet – Lavan; rest – Dina; agitation – Yosef.
Certainly the Divine Hand that decreed exile in Egypt was the deciding factor, but the mechanism through which this all happened is "blamed" by Chazal on Yaakov, for the shortcoming of asking to live in tranquility. People tend to notice the dangers from the outside and ignore those from within, which is a dangerous mistake. Chazal (Bereishit Rabba 4:6) tell us that there were great similarities between the experiences of Yaakov and Yosef, especially that they were both hated by a brother. This teaches us the great danger of hatred, even if one is not an evil person like Eisav but an upstanding one like Yosef’s brothers, who nevertheless had enmity towards their own brother. Had Yaakov been as vigilant with the matter as he was with Lavan, he could have "put out the fire" before it grew out of proportion. The exile decreed upon Avraham needed to transpire somehow, but not in the tragic way it did. It was because Yaakov, hoping for tranquility, lowered his guard.
This is a lesson for all generations. We want a respite from our difficulties and are less vigilant when independent in our own Land. After all that our nation has undergone, in the exile and in Israel, we crave for rest. We have to remember, though, that not only Eisav and Lavan are dangerous. The destructive forces from within are also dangerous. The best chance to merit tranquility is to not ask to for tranquility. We must remain careful and make sure that the independence we merited is used to raise our ethical and spiritual level. Then we can enjoy the fruits of the labor of generations.
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.
