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It is an enigma that defies logic. Other than Moshe – who got the word directly from Hashem – no one could figure it out, not even Shlomo HaMelech, by tradition the wisest of men. It is the puzzling paradox of the Para Aduma.
You take a red cow, you kill it, you mix its ashes with a few ingredients, you sprinkle it on those who came into contact with a corpse and walla! – they’re now Tahor, pure.
How can a dead animal, something which is inherently tamei, impure - and even makes its handler impure - cause someone else to become spiritually pristine?! It makes no sense! Great minds have pondered this question for millennia, and shrugged their shoulders with bewilderment.
But today, I think I finally figured it out.
As I write this, I have just returned from the homes of the Ariel and Mark families. Hallel Yaffa Ariel, a gifted, musical 13-year-old girl, was brutally murdered in her bed in Kiryat Arba by a 17-year Palestinian monster. "Not murdered," corrected her mother Rena, "slaughtered, stabbed 9 times, in the face, chest and heart as she slept in her bed!"
Michael (Miki) Mark of Otniel, father of 10 and charismatic educator, was killed near his home by Palestinian terrorists on erev Shabbat, in a drive-by shooting that also severely injured several of his family members.
When we walked into the Ariel shiva, Rena stood up and greeted us: "Celebrate life!" she said. "Hallel danced, she loved life; in her memory, bring life to the Jewish people, add life to our great country Israel, live life to the fullest!"
And in the Mark home, Miki’s beautiful daughter Orit, all of 15-years old, had a message for us as well: "Be strong! My father was strong; he never gave up or gave in. Now all of us – you and me – must stay strong and never let the murderers win! "
As I listened to these courageous women speak, I now understood the power, the secret of the Para Aduma: From the gross impurity of the animalistic terrorists, there emerges the pure and holy neshamot of their victims. A holiness and purity that is angelic, G-d – like, that contains within it the ability to purify a whole nation, to inject spirit and strength into all who come into contact with them. They are the Kohen! They have been touched by death, but now have the power to give life.
May these Kedoshim constitute the Para Aduma, the precursor and prerequisite for the building of the Bet HaMikdash, and may they M'taher the Jewish nation in preparation for the Geula Shlema.
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)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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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)
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
