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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
"Bear with me until I have explained to you the greatness of this nation. I have proof enough of their greatness in that God chose them from among the other nations to become His people. God rested his Divinity upon them. All of them heard God's words. This Divinity derived from Adam who was unconditionally flawless. God created Adam as an adult in his physical and emotional prime. Adam's soul and intellect were likewise at the maximum human potential. Moreover, Adam achieved the level above intellect, called the 'Divine force' - the capacity of prophetic revelation.
Adam had many children, but only one son - Abel - inherited his father's superior stature. Cain killed Abel because he was jealous of his superiority. God then replaced Abel with Seth, who also resembled his father. Seth, then, was the elite son; he was the peak of mankind, the 'heart of the fruit,' and all others were like the peel.
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
20 - 18. The Exodus and Jewish Faith
21 - 21. God's Elite Line
22 - 22. The Sin of the Golden Calf Reconsidered
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Abraham's elite descendant was Isaac. Abraham distanced his other progeny from the Chosen Land so that it would be reserved exclusively for Isaac. Isaac's elite descendant was Jacob. Jacob's brother Esau was rejected from the land, for Jacob had gained exclusive rights to it. The land, because of its unique status, deserved to be given to a person who possessed a similar unique status. Until the time of Jacob, Divinity was the exclusive possession of a select individual in each generation. However, all of Jacob's children were his elite descendants, all being worthy of Divinity. Thus began a new era, wherein Divinity rested upon all of the descendants of Jacob for all generations.
We have surveyed the evolution of the Divine heritage from Adam until the Children of Israel. And despite the fact that the Children of Israel were sometimes iniquitous, they continued to possess the Divine ingredient. Sometimes this element is difficult to discern, but it is always there; it may seem to disappear in one generation, but it reappears in the next. Israel's elite status does not originate with their having chosen God. Rather, it is the result of God's having chosen them and His drawing them close to Him. As a result of His choosing them, they chose him, and because this process begins with God, it is absolute and unchangeable.
Having discussed Israel's special status, we are better equipped to understand the significance of the events in their history. God willing, we will do this in the next lesson.
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A Postscript: In the above article, some of what appears to be the dialog of Rabbi Judah Halevi's The Kuzari has in fact been added by Rabbi Melamed for purposes of clarity and explication.
Much of the translation of the Kuzari in the above article is taken from N. Daniel Korobkin's translation of The Kuzari (Jason Aaronson Inc.).
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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
