YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayera
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
Avraham and Yitzhcak erected altars to Hashem (see Bereishit 13:3-4; ibid. 26:25), and Yaakov erected both an altar (ibid. 35:6) and a monument (ibid. 28:18).What is the idea of the tree that Avraham planted? A tree?! It sounds like an asheira (tree of idol worship), Heaven forbid!
Our surprise strengthens when we consider that the center that Avraham established in Be’er Sheva was a central part of his service of Hashem. For example, we see that after the Binding of Yitzchak in Jerusalem, Avraham returned to Be’er Sheva (ibid. 22:19). The Ramban (to Bereishit 23:2) explains that he did so because of that eshel. This is where he received the command to bring Yitzchak as a sacrifice, and this is where he thanked Hashem for the good outcome. We conclude that our forefathers used various tools to serve Hashem, including those that Hashem later commanded to discontinue. (See Devarim 16:21-22, which mentions consecutively the prohibition to use both a monument and a tree of worship.)
We will use this introduction to try to explain one of the hardest p’sukim in Yeshayahu (6:13). "And there will still be a tenth, and it will return and will be destroyed like an elah tree and an alon tree, which when it sheds its leaves (shalechet), its monument is in them, their holy seed is its monument." We cannot explain the whole pasuk (readers are invited to see Tzofnat Yeshayahu, p. 52-61). We will just point out that the pasuk mentions monuments and two trees: elah and alon. These, along with the eshel, are theophoric names – those which include hints at a divine name – as all these trees have the letters aleph and lamed in their short names.
What is the significance of these trees and what does the idea of shalechet represent? We will cite Rashi’s third explanation. There was a gate in Yerushalayim whose name was Shalechet and there stood an elah, an alon, and a monument. They were used for service of Hashem since the time of the forefathers, and perhaps they were already used from the time when Shem, the son of Noach was in Yerushalayim. By the time of Yeshayahu¸ the Torah had long ago forbidden using these trees in the service of Hashem. However, since at the time they were planted, they were used for Hashem in a permitted manner, it was forbidden to destroy them.
This pasuk compares between the Shalechet Gate trees and Bnei Yisrael. Just as the former are protected from destruction, in the merit of the forefathers who used them properly, even though there were subsequent people who used them improperly, so too Hashem protects the survival of Bnei Yisrael, which is founded in purity, because of our roots.
Let us pray that we will be able to find protection from all our enemies in the shade of the Divine Presence in the merit of our nation’s founders. Let us internalize this idea and strive jointly for a more elevated life of justice, truth, and spirituality.
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
