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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Shavuot
- Preperation for Shavuot
There are, though, many post-Talmudic special minhagim (reading Ruth, eating dairy, displaying greenery,…), some of which also raise interesting and unique halachic situations. Regarding most of these minhagim, the rationale is shrouded in secrecy, allowing several speculations. Perhaps this is part of the nature of the holiday – hidden matters. After all, its date is not written, allowing it to be the basis of a major dispute with the Tzedukim. In theory, i.e., when the month is set based on moon sightings, it can fall on different dates. Even Hashem’s revelation at Sinai to give the Torah is not dated or connected in Tanach to Shavuot.
Another Shavuot topic that is shrouded in mystery is related to the Torah reading. This is the piyut (liturgical poem) known, by its opening word, as Akdamot (meaning, an introduction). It is ostensibly written by someone named Meir, the son of Yitzchak, Shaliach Tzibbur (usually referring to a chazan, but literally means the agent of the community). He seems to have been a contemporary of Rashi and lived in Worms. (Some legends link the author to a miraculous event that occurred hundreds of years earlier.) While poetry of Ashkenaz in that era was often hard to understand, this is much harder, as it is written in a somewhat unfamiliar dialect of Aramaic (many who read gemara and Unkelus fluently have a lot of trouble understanding it).
Akdamot’s basic content is as follows. The first part is praise of Hashem, who created the world, and of the angels, who serve Him. Then, it retells the argument between Bnei Yisrael and the nations, explaining why it is appropriate for us to be given the Torah and worthwhile for us to keep our commitments. The last of 45 double stanzas is perhaps most memorable: "Exalted is our Lord in the beginning and the end; He desired and wanted us and gave us the Torah." (Learn more in Rav Maimon’s "Chagim U’Moadim.)
Akdamot has survived well after the majority of piyutim (yotzrot, ofanim, …) have primarily disappeared from our lives and are relegated to the back of a few complete siddurim. While Akdamot has survived, it has been scaled back. The original minhag was to recite it after reading the first pasuk; now, to avoid serious questions of hefsek, most recite it before the kohen’s opening beracha. Apparently, Akdamot’s was destined to survive and remain part of the lore of the day. We have a deep and mysterious relationship with Hashem that we do not fully understand. It is part and parcel of the reason we were given and continue to dedicate ourselves to His Torah. Even though so many stay up all night and so few have strength/enthusiasm for the morning tefilla and Torah reading, we will hopefully continue to read Akdamut (with its simple but special tune). In so doing, we will reinforce the idea that our clinging to the Creator from that momentous day at Sinai is worth singing about with recognition that we cherish everything, even if we only understand some of it.
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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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.
