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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Va'era
Hashem tries to reassure Moshe by revealing the end of the story, telling him straight away that it will all turn out well. "I will rescue and redeem you; take you out of Egypt and into Israel," He promioses. You’d think that this would buoy Moshe up. And yet, even after hearing the good news, Moshe says: "If the Jewish People will not listen to me, then how can I, of ‘uncircumcised lips,’ possibly convince Paro?!"
Interestingly, G-d does not answer Moshe’s question directly. It could very well be that Moshe was speaking rhetorically, addressing not Hashem, but himself. He is humble – perhaps even to a fault - and so he doubts his own greatness, his ability to accomplish this most challenging of missions. He may also fear that as a prince of Egypt, the Israelites may look upon him not as a brother, a fellow Jew, but as "one of them," an agent of the Pharoah.
And so Hashem wisely addresses both these concerns by breaking into the narrative of the story and chronicling the lineage of Moshe. The next 13 p’sukim review just where Moshe comes from him, with specific emphasis on
the Tribe of Levi. By doing this, G-d is telling Moshe: "Do you think that your royal bearing derives from your connection to Batya and Paro?! No, you are indeed a prince, but not by virtue of Egypt! You are a Jewish prince! You are the offspring of the Avot and Imahot; you come from Levi, the spiritual center of the nation. That is who you are; you belong to the nation, and the nation belongs to you."
It is not by coincidence that Moshe keeps referring to "uncircumcised lips." A Brit/ circumcision, is the primary link between the generations. Indeed, say Chazal, it is only when a father brings his own son to be circumcised
that he affirms the brit that was once performed on him, when he was a baby, and so had no say in the matter. Therefore it is davka at the brit when, by tradition, the child’s name is given, further linking this newest member of our people to those who came before him.
It is also not by coincidence that we refer to Jewish circumcision by the term "Brit MILA." The word "mila," of course, also can mean "word." Our word is our bond; we declared from the very moment of our birth as a people that we would be loyal to Hashem, and He gave us his word that He would stand by us throughout history, come what may. It is this bond which strengthens Moshe; he now approaches Paro not as merely one, lone individual, but with a whole nation standing behind him.
So it is with the Jewish People; we are One continuum from Avraham to Moshiach - and beyond. So when we make national decisions, we must factor in our ancestors as well as our descendants. And when we face crises, we know that we never face them alone. That, and Hashem's promise to take us to our final destiny, is the real secret behind our strength and survival.
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)
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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)
