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- Ein Aya
Ein Ayah: The extent to which one feels pain, whether physical or spiritual, such as fear, embarrassment, anguish, etc. depends on the degree to which matters are out of their proper norm, in the physical and/or the spiritual realm. One’s nervous system is prepared to be at ease when things are interwoven properly, but when things are out of place, there is pain commensurate to the deviation.
"Hashem made man straight" (Kohelet 7:29), and the spirit is prepared to receive feelings that fit its nature, such as security, honor, and happiness, as it does when things are in order. When matters are out of order, the soul experiences poison and bitterness, darkness and despair, as the suffering soul perceives it.
It is possible for a person to stray so far from a proper lifestyle that he no longer feels the pleasantness of following the divine ways of justice and uprightness. He also can stop feeling the pain that should result when one strays from the ways of justness. However, this forgetting of normalcy is not eternal. When the spirit is freed from the limitations of the body, which can lower the spirit to the lowest physical levels, it returns to its natural vigor and sensitivity and realizes that it is law and justice that form its natural order.
Man goes to his ultimate trial to be tried by himself, so to speak, as he becomes pained by the spiritual deficiencies and the abrogation of the Torah that he now uncovers. The spirit realizes with regret what it should have done and contrasts it with the evil of what he actually did. He finds that his level differs from the essence of the soul and from the whole of existence, which is all related to Hashem. It realizes the great potential that he, as a living person, possessed for wisdom, kindness, and justice and how he could have enveloped himself in justice and goodness had he properly followed the way of Torah and mitzvot. About this moment of realization we say that "man entered his ultimate trial."
A person who strayed significantly from the proper path to the point that he forgot his natural potential would rather stay in the dark about his potential than to have it held up before him. After all, the meeting with the truth causes great pain. That is the reason that divine powers have to force him to take part in his trial. However, Hashem, who is Master of All Souls, does not want man’s soul to be lowered forever, as it will eventually rebound from its lowliness and come back to positively encounter Hashem’s countenance. The spirit will return to the divine light after experiencing the bitterness of encountering the truth of its shortcomings. Thus, man will be brought into the trial according to his lofty level as a spirit without a body, not as a spirit sullied by the body. This is as Chazal tell us: "Against your will you are destined to come in judgment before the King of Kings, the Holy One Blessed Be He" (Avot, end of ch. 6).
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)
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.
