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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Shoftim
The Rabbis interpret this pasuk as requiring us to have perfect faith in Hashem, trusting Him at all times to guide us in His wisdom and unerring accuracy. From here we derive that a visiting a fortune teller is prohibited by Halacha; we are told to overcome our natural inclination to know what the future holds for us. In fact, even a Navi, who may know what is to come, is not allowed to reveal that knowledge until and unless Hashem explicitly commands him to do so!
This seems a bit hard to understand: If G-d allows us the ability to view and remember the past - as Moshe Rabbeinu does all throughout Sefer D’varim – then why couldn’t He give us the power to also see into the future, as the prophets do? Wouldn’t this help us to
move forward, even with most difficult and challenging tasks, knowing that in the end we would be successful?
But this is exactly the point. If we were to see the future, we would hold back from attempting any endeavor that we knew would fail. We would forfeit the enterprise of "trial and error" that creates innovation and progress.
But more than that, it is the courage of taking risks, and often experiencing failure, that helps us to grow. If a baby knew that he would fall the first 1000 times he tried to walk, he would end up crawling his entire life. Hashem wants us to have faith, to dare to live up to His high standards, even if that requires patience, frustration and suffering. Even if it necessitates our stumbling and slipping along the way.
It is precisely because we don’t know what the future holds that creates challenge, determination, adventure and faith. Believing that Hashem walks with us, and will support us in difficult times, makes us spiritually healthy and humble at the very same time.
The past is vital to lighting our path. As in legal issues, it serves as a valuable precedent for us to learn from and use to our advantage as we go forward. But, as the well-known rhyme says, while the past is revealed History, the future must remain a Mystery, so that we can appreciate the Present for the gift it truly is.
The excitement of life comes each time we open that Present and dare to make each day count.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
