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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Hana Bat Haim
Human intellect dictates that the ideal servant is one who worships God through fasts, self-mortification, and abstention from the pleasures of the world. This, people believe, is how a righteous person ought to appear. The Torah, however, does not emphasize these actions. Rather, the perfect service of God is that service which is carried out joyfully.
For example, the obligation to keep the Sabbath, a commandment which is equal to the entire Torah and is a sign and covenant between God and Israel, must be observed joyfully. We are obligated to delight in the Sabbath. The honor of the Sabbath and the delight and joy of the Sabbath are an indication of the value of the this sacred day, a day which serves as remembrance of the creation of the world and the Exodus from Egypt. We can see, then, that one who keeps the Sabbath properly with honor and delight demonstrates that he is thankful that God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh day. Such a person also expresses thanks to God for taking us out of Egypt.
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
36 - 35. The Commandments Depend on Good Character Traits
37 - 37. Torah Commandments: The Ultimate Joy
38 - 38. “Israel, Through Whom I Will Be glorified”
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Rabbi Chaim Vital, the disciple of the Holy Ari, in his work "Shaarei Kedusha," explains that one who serves God sorrowfully resembles a servant who serves his master with a downcast and sulking face. How can one possibly serve God in such a manner? Even if a person carries out his service to the letter, a downcast facial expression ruins everything. The Divine Presence and prophetic inspiration rest only upon one who is joyful.
It is told of the Vilna Gaon (in the introduction to the work "Peat HaShulchan") that he would praise the discipline of music and would say that most of the Torah's cantillations as well as the secrets of the songs of the Levites and the "Tikkunei Zohar" cannot be grasped without understanding music theory. He would say that, with the help of music, a person can die pleasantly with the departure of the soul, and it is possible to bring the dead back to life by the secrets of music which are hidden in the Torah.
He would say, Moses brought a specific number of songs and measures down from Mount Sinai, and the rest are composites.
Sadness on the other hand, says Rabbi Chaim Vital, hinders the service of God and the performance of commandments. It hinders Torah study and focused attention in prayer, and eliminates good thoughts to serve God. It is the gateway to the stimulation of the evil inclination, for one sees that he has no benefit from his service of God being gripped by sadness and plagued by suffering.
Rather, one must serve God with joy, as it is written, "Serve God joyfully." And the service of commandments and prayer must be carried out with paramount joy, as we find in the case of the Sage Abaye who would become very happy before putting on his Tefillin, and R' Bruna who would smile for the whole day after reciting the prayer of redemption just prior to reciting the Amida prayer.
Therefore, in sum, one of the central foundations in the service of God is to perform the commandments with joy.
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)
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)
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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)
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
