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Beit Midrash
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The parasha begins with mention of the death of two of Aharon’s sons, Nadav and Avihu (Vayikra 10:2-6). Reams of paper have been used to analyze the cause of their death. We would like to add an insight as well.
Let us remember others whose sons died (or could have died) and look for connections. The Torah creates symmetry between the lives of two rival brothers, Yehuda and Yosef. Among other things, Yehuda, who, due to the sale of Yosef, caused his father to be shown Yosef’s cloak and had him asked "haker na … (do you recognize this as …)" (Bereishit 37:32), was himself shown an upsetting object and asked a similarly worded question (ibid. 38:25). And indeed, in a related manner to that story, two sons of Yehuda died at very young ages.
There were other major participants in the horrible sale: Reuven Shimon, and Levi. We may recall that in Sefer Bereishit, Reuven offered to have his two sons killed – if he did not succeed in returning Binyamin to his father, Yaakov, after bringing him down to Egypt by order of the disguised Yosef (Bereishit 42:37). Reuven understood the appropriateness of taking responsibility that if Binyamin would also disappear, he would shoulder responsibility in the form of two sons’ death. However, at the end, since Reuven came out against killing Yosef and he was not present when Yosef was sold, he escaped the fate of losing his sons. Levi, who was one of those who decided to kill Yosef and went along with the plan to sell him, paid the price in that two of his prominent great-grandchildren, Nadav and Avihu, were killed. Chazal indicated that there was a connection between Aharon’s participation in the Sin of the Golden Calf and the deaths of his sons, and we have indicated in the past that there are significant connections between that tragedy and the sale of Yosef. (We will discuss some other time the price that Shimon had to pay for his involvement.)
The selling of a brother, with its accompanying harming of the unity of the nation, can be the cause of serious divine displeasure. Unity and peace between siblings is beloved to Hashem and causes divine pleasure. We should mention the explanation of Chazal of the prophecy of Hoshea (4:17): "Ephrayim is connected to idols; leave him." They explain: "Great is peace, for when Israel were worshipping idols but there was peace between them, Hashem said that he does not want to harm them. In contrast, regarding when there is dispute, it says: ‘Their heart was split; now they will be blamed.’ Thus, peace is great, and dispute is despised" (Derech Eretz 7).
We should all try to internalize this idea, especially at the time of sefirat haomer, when we commemorate the death of the students of Rabbi Akiva, for not showing respect to each other. That historical event also ended the chance of Israeli independence in its Land, something that required almost two millennia to rectify.
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: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Rabbis in Midrash
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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)
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.
