YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- P'ninat Mishpat
Case: My grandfather, R. Gershon, left a significant amount of money. The principal was to remain untouched and the profits were to be divided among his descendants who occupied themselves in Torah study "until the fourth generation." At that time, the principal is to be divided among all his descendants, with half going to the descendants of his son and half to the descendants of his daughters. Presently, there are great-grandchildren of R. Gershon, which is the fourth generation if one counts R. Gershon as the first. The Torah-studiers claim that this only the third generation and that the original arrangement should continue. They bring a proof from King Zecharia, who was the fifth generation including Yehu, and Yehu was promised only "bnei ribei’im(sons of the fourth generation)" sitting on the throne (Melachim II, 10:30). The other descendants cite proof from the pasuk from Brit Bein Habetarim: "The fourth generation will return here" (Bereishit 15:16).
[The ruling is a fascinating interplay between halacha and Biblical analysis]
P'ninat Mishpat (829)
Various Rabbis
379 - Appraising Relatives
380 - Counting to Four Generations
381 - A Split Majority
Load More
If that is what they mean, why should one prefer the Ibn Ezra’s commentary over Rashi and the Ramban. Rashi says that the count starts with Yaakov, who went down to Egypt, and continues with Yehuda, Peretz, Chetzron, and Kalev; thus, the first generation is not counted. The Ramban says that the four generations belong to the Amorites, who were to be removed from the land after their sin was ready for punishment. Ostensibly, then, one cannot prove anything regarding our question. If anything, from the Ramban it sounds like the progenitor is not counted, as Hashem is willing to wait four generations for repentance, after which time he punishes the fifth generation. This is in line with Hashem remembering the sin of the fathers for "son, and sons of sons, a third generation, and a fourth" (see Shemot 34:6).
How then can the other inheritors expect to go against Rashi and the Ramban, who exceeded the Ibn Ezra both as commentators and as halachists? Even according to the Ibn Ezra, Yaakov was one of the four generations, which is different from talking about four generations ofdescendants of Yehu or, in our case, of R. Gershon. I would anyway explain the pasuk differently, considering that the count should be from Yitzchak, who begins the period of being "foreigners in a land not their own," and that it is going on Serach the daughter of Asher, son of Yaakov, son of Yitzchak.
There are different indications from the language of the will, but the most careful reading of both the will and the standard understanding of the p’sukim is that the fourth generation does not include the person who is talking or is being discussed. This should be the basis for determining when the will’s clause comes into play, although all sorts of questions about its implementation remain.
Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Return of Down Payment Due to War – part III
based on ruling 84044 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Agricultural Water Rights – part II
based on ruling 84122 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
