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Beit Midrash
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- Pinchas
Let us ask the question in regard to Pinchas the son of Elazar, a junior leader in the period of Moshe and Yehoshua. Pinchas is mentioned by name at the time of the Judges (20:28). Eliyahu arises hundreds of years later, as a prophet at the time of King Achav. Was there a tradition that he was the same person or is there some scriptural hint to connect the two? According to the second approach, the hint might not necessarily indicate that they are literally the same person but that there are spiritual connections between two distinct people. (While it is surprising that Pinchas would live hundreds of years, there is no reason to dismiss it as a possibility.)
Let us take a look at the book of Ruth (by chance, the sefer where we learn of Ploni Almoni). When, within the period of the Judges, did this story happen? One opinion in the gemara (Bava Batra 91a) is that Boaz was the judge Ivtzan. This puts the chronology close to the end of the era of Judges. In contrast, Rabbi Yossi ben Chalafta in Seder Olam Rabba (12) puts the story and its characters in the time of Ehud (before his rebellion against Eglon), which is toward the beginning of the period of the Judges. As support, Seder Olam cites the pasuk "in everything in which they went out, Hashem’s hand was against them" (Shoftim 2:15).
What does Seder Olam learn from that pasuk? Naomi, speaking to her daughters-in-law, says how hard things were for her and that "the Hand of Hashem has been against me" (Ruth 1:13). Seder Olam sees this coincidence of terminology as a means of linking the two stories to each other. There is actually a linguistic hint to the gemara’s identification as well. Ruth’s story is based around the town of Beit Lechem, where Boaz lived and operated. Ivtzan is also identified as hailing from and being buried in Beit Lechem (Shoftim 12:8-10).
What we have not yet solved is whether in the case of Pinchas and Eliyahu, the connection is based on tradition or exegesis. In any case, we bless all that we will be careful in our observance of tradition and that we will also be proficient in Torah study, with a style of analysis which we have learned from our rabbinic predecessors.
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)
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)
