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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: The greatest individuals protest the evil they see in the world, as it oppresses people and deprives them of the light of their lives. However, as much as these wise and lofty people may oppose evil and try to remedy problems, they will not be able to rid the path of life of the obstacles that evil plants along the way. This is because evil comes from the situation that one leaves an ideal situation and lowers himself to be a slave to his physical needs, which confuses his mind and pollutes his heart. Thereby, life becomes one continuum of bad things that result from a person’s deterioration.
Actually, this deterioration is something about which he has a choice. After all, man can elevate himself enough to realize that he can reach contentment by completing his divine image with the light of wisdom and uprightness, which emanate from the "river that flows from Eden." When this light shines in the midst of one’s heart, he can live without toil. This is because the elevated light of the pleasantness of knowledge and justice gives pleasure to one’s life and elevates his spirit. Then, he would not need the burden decreed upon society to bring their bread through the sweat of their brow and be slaves to the lower elements of the life of the body and the country. Rather, one’s body can grow strong and his spirit can soar to the point that simple fruit satiates him, and he could live happily in any climate.
Only then, when one reaches the level to appreciate closeness to Hashem by grasping truth and justice, does he have true peace in his heart in a manner that allows him to draw close to a life of health through nature. Then he does not have a need to occupy himself with mundane activities, for he has enough to make him happy. Mundane life will not bring disease and hardship, and he will have a long life full of light and happiness.
Since the average man fails to reach his potential, it is no surprise that life is flawed, and no one can solve society’s problems. That is why most good people ceased criticizing the evil kingdom, as they realized that it is only one element of the evil that besets mankind’s system. One side of the problem is that man has to work the land through so much toil and, in general, exert himself to provide his material needs. Hashem does this to distract the person from the lowliness of his desires, which he would pursue if he had extra time and energy on his hand instead of pursuing la ife of spiritual light. That is why he needs to be busy with basic physical attainments because without toil, many people will lead wild lives and look for all sorts of things to fulfill their imagination.
But why should one get to this point, when he can throw off the burden and fill his mind with contemplation of holy things that he holds in his soul and enjoy his connection with Hashem? Then nature will be blessed and apparently miraculous bounty can become normal, allowing a person to not need to occupy himself with significant toil on daily material life. Therefore, [someone on the level of Rabbi Shimon felt the need] to make a general protest about over-dependence on standard material needs, which is the source of many bad things, in order to raise the banner of mankind. The phenomenon of neglecting eternal life in favor of fleeting life lowers the spirit and pollutes the heart, and lowers one’s spiritual aspirations until the only way to contain him is by making him a slave to a ploughshare. By returning to the higher level, everything can be remedied instantly, and only higher-level teshuva is necessary.
Ein Ayah Picking the Correct Animal to Avoid Becoming Like One
condensed from Ein Ayah, Berachot 9:246
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)
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)
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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.
