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Gemara: [We continue with the story of the non-Jew who wanted to convert but only believed in the Written Law and not the Oral Law and was rejected by Shammai. Hillel converted him and then took upon himself to teach the convert to accept the Oral Law.] The first day he taught him the letters aleph, bet, gimmel, dalet. The next day he switched the order. The convert asked: "That is not what you taught me yesterday!" Hillel said: "Isn’t it so that you trusted me? Trust me also regarding the Oral Law."
Ein Ayah: The main reason for those who try to destroy the holy covenant surrounding the Oral Law is that they are blind to the absolute dependence of the Written Law on the Oral Law. Since they do not realize its importance, they do not see the truth of its transmission to Bnei Yisrael. If someone realizes that it is impossible to not have an Oral Law, then he is not susceptible to the mistake of doubting it. It would be folly to leave behind the traditions passed on through our fathers to make up our own system of scholarship.
This is why Hillel impressed upon the convert the critical need for a reliable tradition from previous generations, which is accepted by the nation as a whole. If you do not accept the tradition regarding something as basic as the letters of the alphabet, no one will be able to read and approach the Written Law. With the need for such traditions, it must be that, in general, tradition is needed to know how to arrive at Torah rulings, and one must not question the foundation of Oral Law.
Since nature requires that there be a known tradition, whoever denies it, denies nature. There must be some sort of connection that links generations. Even those who initially denied the tradition found themselves with so many doubts until they were forced to eventually accept tradition. That is why we apply to them the pasuk, "They left the source of fresh water (i.e., the reliable tradition within the community of Bnei Yisrael) to quarry for themselves broken water pits (i.e., alternative traditions)" (see Yirmiya 2;13).
The comparison between the Oral Law and the alphabet is very appropriate. Whichever version of the names of the alphabet one would choose, one cannot learn how to read without being exposed to a tradition that teaches the rules. The originally presented tradition is the authentic one. Once a person understands this, he will understand that there is no real alternative. Hashem must have given the Written Law along with a tradition. A person will find within himself to accept it, as Hillel urged the convert to do.
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)
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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.
