YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Jewish Thought
- Foundations of Faith
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
The Rabbi responded, "I see that I must reiterate that central principle which we have discussed a number of times already, namely, that God must be worshiped according to His own laws, according to the commandments which He himself has given us, and not according to human sentiment or imagination.
The Divine Torah does not exhort man to worship God through self-mortification. The Torah commands us to worship God with all of our spiritual and physical faculties and not to give preference to one faculty over another. leaning too far to one side comes at the expense of the other. If one concedes too much to physical appetite, one will neglect the mental faculties, and vice versa. Exaggerated stringency weakens the desire to bestow goodness upon others, while exaggerated kindness comes at the expense of sometimes-necessary sternness.
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
34 - 34. The Jewish People's Extensive Suffering
35 - 36. Well-balanced Character Traits
36 - 35. The Commandments Depend on Good Character Traits
Load More
In sum, the Rabbi says to the Khazar king, "There are three pillars of divine service according to our Torah: fear, love, and joy. The Jew must draw near to God through these three faculties. Fear in appropriate matters and joy in appropriate matters. Our submission on fast days does not bring us any closer to God than our joy on Sabbaths and holidays - if that joy is guided by proper reflection and intention.
Joy in the fulfillment of a commandment, together with love for the God who commands it and recognition of the good which God bestows upon us by commanding us - this is as if one has been called to enter the house of God and eat at the Almighty's own table. This, after all, is the idea that underlies the holidays and their attendant Pilgrimages to the Holy Temple. The Sabbath too is a day of joy, a sacred day, a day on which the sanctity comes into our house. We merit, as it were, hosting God himself in our own home. The joy in these days, the joy of the Sabbath and the Festivals, is a wonderful act of Divine worship."
The Rabbi continues, "If, because of the Joy of fulfilling a commandment, a person becomes enthusiastic and rejoices and exalts to the point where he dances and sings, this is divine worship which causes him to cling to God. The Torah does not leave it up to man to decide regarding the correct proportions between fear and joy. Rather, the Torah prescribes special times, Sabbaths and holidays, Sabbatical years and Jubilee years, and all of these are days of remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt and remembrance of the creation of the universe. Keeping and honoring the Sabbath, then, is tantamount to thanking the Almighty. God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. This being the case, observing the Sabbath brings man closer to the Almighty than numerous prayers, or acts self-denial and mortification.
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)
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.
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
