YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Chayei Sara
The complexx interplay between Man’s ability to act with B’Chira Chofsheit - free choice, and the influence of Hashgacha Pratit – Divine supervision, is one of the thorniest theological issues of all time. They would seem, on the surface, to be contradictory: If G-d ultimately decides, then what role does Man play? And if we can act, while Hashem "sits on the sidelines," then when is G-d’s power ever activated?
In this week’s Sedra, Avraham sends his servant Eliezer to find a proper mate for Yitzchak. Eliezer prays to G-d that his mission will be successful (his very name means "May the Lord help me!") but deep down, say Chazal, Eliezer has a bit of a different agenda. You see, he
himself had a daughter that he would love to fix up with Yitzchak, who will inherit Avraham’s wealth and pedigree.
And so, while he does indeed set out to find a match for Yitzchak, Eliezer sets some very tough conditions: "That girl, who is Yitzchak’s intended, must not only give me water to drink, but must also water my camels." This kind of conditional set-up flies in the face of the Biblical warning, "Lo T’Nasu et Hashem Elokecha" – you shall not test G-d. And yet, Hashem, as it were, suspends His own ruling and allows Eliezer’s condition to be met by Rivka, so that Yitzchak will indeed end up marrying her and continuing Jewish history.
And then there is Lavan. Despite his pure-sounding name, he is a dark and devious character. He is swayed by the largesse given by Eliezer to Rivka, and lusts for a chunk of Avraham’s wealth. He tries to persuade Rivka to stay on in his home, but she will have none of it. He then gives her a bracha – amazingly, the very same one we still give to brides at their wedding: "May you, our sister, give rise to tens of thousands…." Say Chazal: Lavan, too, had an ulterior motive for bestowing this flowery blessing; there is a tradition that the children will resemble their mother’s older brother!
Later, Lavan will try to swindle his nephew Yakov out of his wife Rachel, but here, too, he will be denied. Yakov is meant, on a mystical level, to produce the 12 Tribes from more than one wife, and so, despite his actions, Lavan becomes a "messenger" of Hashem in order to carry out His plan for history and the perpetuation of Am Yisrael.
All too often, we look at events – some of them of our own choosing - and wonder where will they lead? Did we choose the wrong path? Is there a way out of this mess? No doubt that there will be consequences for our choices. But as we said, at the end of the day, Hashem will have his way.
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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)
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.
