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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Beshalach
with one nation languishing in misery at the very bottom of the social ladder, and it ends with our elevation into the nation of miracles, marching out of Egypt "with hand held high," while Egypt falls from power and is ignominiously
humbled.
This sensational "reversal of fortune" is the touchstone of millions of inspiring stories since, where the oppressed, depressed underdog, against all odds, turns the tables and emerges victorious, as right heroically defeats might.
Let me pose a question: On the verse, "And there arose a new Paro who did not know Yosef," Rav and Shmuel differ; one says this was indeed a new king while the other says it was the same Pharoah, who he just acted as if he did not know Yosef (and his contributions to Egypt). Now, if we accept this second opinion - leaving aside the fact that Paro would be exceedingly old, considering the Jews were in slavery for 117 years! – a great difficulty emerges.
This Pharoah had originally treated the Jews so well: He made Yosef Viceroy, with vast powers; he gave the Jews their own cushy suburb in which to live, treating them as VIP’s; he even sent a royal entourage to accompany Yakov, Yosef’s father, to burial in Israel. He was the paradigm of a foreign leader who respected his Jewish citizens.
So why, how, could he have been so good to us, and then turn into such an anti-Semitic, sadistic monster?
Let me suggest - and this is not out of paranoia or reaction to any current events – that the Torah may be telling us that even in the best of scenarios, we need to be extremely wary of life in the Diaspora. Yes, it may seem idyllic at times, but under the surface, even the best Paro is precarious.
But there is another profound message here. Just as a seemingly ideal situation can deteriorate to disaster, so, too, can a dismal prognosis turn into a glorious outcome.
G-d wants us to know that He is Echad, He knows and sees all, past, present and future. He has things worked out to their appropriate conclusion. As long as we don’t walk out at halftime – as so many unlucky people did during the Super Bowl – we will surely enjoy the final score. When things get dicey in Israel, and events of the day start to get us down, we must gather our faith and believe that it will ultimately all be directed to the good.
Stay loyal to the cause; be a Patriot and you will always trump the opposition.
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)
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
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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.
