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Beit Midrash
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- Ein Aya
Ein Ayah: The foundation of tolerance, to treat with warmth even those who, based on their actions, deserve to be distanced, is rooted in the attribute of modesty, which is built upon the nature of the spirit and the emotion of the heart. Actually, in the case of the prince of Hashem that Hillel was, this attribute was combined with the great wisdom of anticipating the future, as his great and true humility helped him remove the screen that keeps one from seeing the future. This is because one with sensitive emotions can sense by looking "in the mirror" of a person whom he meets how he will act in the future. This is the content of the convert’s praise for Hillel, who had taken his natural characteristic of humility and had perfected it.
The convert said that blessings should rest on Hillel’s headbecause this is the place of his intellect and intuition. If not for Hillel’s great intellect, which enabled him to reach a deep analysis of his counterpart’s spirit, he could not have grasped the hidden element of goodness in the convert’s spirit. This is because at the time, it was clouded over by confused imagination which came from a lack of development and education.
The convert thanked Hillel for bringing him under the wings of the Divine Presence. This is relevant in relation to the idea that a person needs two protections from things that take him away from divine service and love of Hashem. One is to protect him from physical desires that are beneath man’s natural level and drag him down to the lower level of the desire. The second is actually protection from things that are loftier than his level, because they too can cause him to stray from the path of the intellect based on unrealistic perceptions of divine service.
Bnei Yisrael, who come with the merit of their forefathers and the sanctity of the ancient legacy, need protection only from below, from human base inclinations. When one is saved from this lowliness, he will already cleave naturally to Hashem because the true philosophical perceptions are close to his heart and his nature. A convert who joins us from outside is different, in that the inner characteristics that bring true perceptions that are hidden in the light of the Torah, do not come to him by means of preparation or inheritance. Even if he has overcome the base desires by means on free will, he is still susceptible to mistakes from above, from misconceptions that are as dangerous as thoughts of forbidden desires. On the other hand, the fact that the sincere convert took upon himself to enter the divine covenant is a merit that protects him, as Hashem bestows upon him wisdom to appreciate the greatness of his clinging to Torah and mitzvot.
The Torah says that Hashem will have Bnei Yisrael ride on top of His wings (Devarim 32:11), to illustrate the protection from the dangers that are below. From above, Bnei Yisrael do not need protection because whoever has extricated himself from the problem of desires is connected to the seal of truth. But a convert needs protection from above by being under the wings of the Divine Presence, as his decision to accept the yoke of mitzvot provides for him a special protective spirit, even though it is not natural for him, until the point that he is like any other Jew. This is what the convert meant by thanking Hillel for enabling him to make it under the wings of the Divine Presence.
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
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
