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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
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In this week’s haftara, we find the pasuk: "Your sons hurried (miharu banayich); your spoilers and destroyers have left you" (Yeshaya 49:17). Classical commentators struggled with the meaning of both parts of the pasuk and with the connection between the sections. We will cite several and, as is our practice, also make our own suggestion.
Rashi explains the beginning of the pasuk positively, as a prophecy of consolation that the exile will end soon, as sons will be quick to return. We then have to explain the end of the pasuk as the Ibn Ezra and Rashi’s student, Mahari Kra, do, that the return will be possible because our enemies who destroyed the Land (i.e., the Babylonians) were leaving it.
In contrast, Mahari MiTrani explains that it is not talking about the speed of the sons, but it is a derogatory reference to their hastiness to sin. Thus, the sons are the same sinful people to whom the second part of the pasuk refers to as "your destroyers."
The Radak and Abarbanel explain the pasuk positively, but in a different way. The destroyers will cease to be bad people, as they will repent, which will pave the way for the nation to merit redemption.
We can suggest a different approach, based on a broader look at the whole haftara [which we will have to ask our readers to look up or take our word about the context]. The section is discussing the miracle of the ingathering of exiles and the rebuilding of the Land, events that we have merited seeing in the last couple of generations.
In the Torah portion on tochecha (rebuke/warning), the people are foretold: "I will make the Land desolate; and your enemies who inhabit it will experience desolation" (Vayikra 26:32). This was good news for the nation, as until Bnei Yisrael started returning to the Land, there was desolation and almost no one lived there.
Let us suggest an explanation for our pasuk as follows, based on the above background. Bnei Yisrael are called to return quickly to their Land, which will be possible because the enemies had not succeeded in remaining there. They left, as the Torah had promised that when it would be time for the sons to return, the Land would be sparsely populated (see Sifra, Bechukotai 2:6).
The drash of our pasuk is that our biggest destroyers come from our own midst. May we pray that this never be the case, as destruction from within is the hardest to fix.
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
