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- Ein Aya
Ein Ayah: We should always seek the natural foundation, whether in the physical or the spiritual realm. Since Hashem made man upright (Kohelet 7:29), all good attributes are engraved in him from his creation. The moral loss that comes due to bad inclinations is something that takes away a person’s nature from its pure state. Therefore the foundation of every good and moral thing, which is belief, is engrained in a person’s "upright nature." Those things that battle emuna (belief) use an arsenal of lust and corruption to uproot a person from his natural spirituality, which would bring him tranquility and happiness in this world and hope for the world to come.
When the world was created and before it was corrupted by man’s evil inclination, agricultural life was the basis of everyone’s sustenance. After all, man was not allowed to eat meat, but rather he ate fruits and vegetables. Thus, agriculture is the foundation of that which sustained the world. After the fall of mankind, the Torah’s job is to return him, as much as possible, to the world in its proper state. There are many things that, when done properly according to the deep design of the Torah that the omniscient Creator gave us, restore some element of the world to its proper place. This is why, in Hashem’s laws that relate to matters of agriculture, there is a direct connection to the fundamentalemuna.
The Torah’s approach to agriculture is a natural foundation that eternally keeps the human race connected to its pure nature, as thegemara (Yevamot 63a) says that in the future days, people of all professions will "stand on the ground." Just as this is true regarding those who work, so it is true in regard to Torah study. The study of Zeraim strengthens a person’s natural spiritual purity, which is his power of emuna. This is why "emunat" refers to Zeraim. It is indeed fitting that the power of emuna should inculcate all of one’s good acquisitions that come from his intense studies, which elucidate the concepts. That is why emunat is written in the possessive (the belief of …) because it is to be connected to all the lofty acquisitions, and they in turn relate to the belief.
It is true that in the natural way the world is run, there is a certain lack of involvement of artificial factors. There is another element of life that has more outside elements, which add to its richness of shades, but this comes at the price of loss of clarity and freshness. In order to deal with this, the divine way, which is holy and trustworthy, is to give different elements their own time in the course of the year. Shabbat and the various holidays were all set according to divine rules in connection with holy events and ideas. They enrich the consistent natural element of the world with its own beautiful natural simplicity.
In this way, there is an intersection between a life of purity and belief, with its healthiness and purity, along with the richness and variety of the impact of various other factors, which come in at the right time with their unique sanctity. This is why the holidays are called "mikraei kodesh (holy convocations)," which Hashem refers to as "My times" (see Vayikra 23:2). We get the full impact of these times only if we study them, whether their specific laws or their general philosophies, which are interconnected. That is why "your times" refers to the Order of Mo’ed.
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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)
