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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: Hashem’s opinion is, of course, inestimably higher than that of any human. Hashem determined that despite all the evil and lowliness that can come from concentration on mundane needs, when life, with its blemishes, proceeds according to the divine plan, light can come specifically through unsightly things. The light can expand to give meaning to such activities and provide light for righteous and straight-hearted people.
One should start with the highest level of sanctity applied to lowly elements of life to maintain them as is. Then, slowly and incrementally, one can purify matters until they eventually reach the goal that the Creator intended for them.
Hashem complained to Rabbi Shimon and Rabbi Elazar, who had not yet reached the level at which they were able to connect themselves on their high level to the low level at which simple people interact. This caused them to want to destroy the lower level so that they could build a higher level on top of the ruins. In fact, they should have strove to improve the world slowly until people’s lives would be perfected and evil would turn into good.
Therefore, they were told to return to the cave to go up to yet a higher level, so that they would have such wisdom and sanctity that they would be able to actually go down to the level of people leading a normal life and fix them the way Hashem wanted. This is in line with thep’sukim: "The world is built on kindness" (Tehillim 89:3) and "The world was not created to be void" (Yeshaya 45:18).
After twelve months, they felt that they had to reach the level of closeness to Hashem’s wisdom at which they would be able to find interest in improving life as simple people experience it despite their own lofty level. This is, after all, how Hashem wants the world to be – repaired according to His attributes.
In order for Rabbi Shimon and Rabbi Elazar to succeed in this task, they needed to change things in the very essence of their spirit. They had to take this outlook of raising life as is to a higher level without eradicating the present situation with some swift revolution, which requires the destruction of the world as we know it. Therefore, they were given the amount of time that it takes to fix the souls that have serious blemishes (in Gehinom) and to turn them into a new essence for the good.
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
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)
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.
