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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
There are inborn, fundamental differences between males and females. The Torah rejects the thesis that differences between the genders are just a matter of social convention. It is possible that the differences between the timetables after the birth of a boy and after the birth of a girl, regarding days of purity and impurity, are reflective of the fact that males and females work on two different time schemes. The male calendar is related primarily to the sun, and is based on the day and the solar year. The female timetable is influenced by the moon and the month. Men are obligated in time-dependent mitzvot, which include daily mitzvot and the holidays, which are dependent on season. It is interesting to note that certain halachot that apply specifically to women are related to the month. The laws having to do with a nursing mother are described in terms of 24 months, rather than two years. It is also interesting that when adding a month to reconcile the solar and lunar calendars, we call that month, "the month of pregnancy."
The laws of family purity create a special rule regarding conflicting time schedules. The man is required to arrange his needs to correspond with the time schedule of his wife, which nature Divinely dictates. This is a concept that all need to understand, whether they be people who were raised to follow halacha as a given or people who are not considered Torah observant.
We can also look at the rabbinic approach to the creation of the sun and moon in this light. Hashem created the sun and the moon to be equal (Rashi on Bereishit 1:16). The moon was made smaller only after it raised the argument that "two kings cannot share one crown." Despite being decreased in size, one must remember the essential equality in its creation. Similarly, when a woman’s cycle causes her to retreat, it is not a sign that the male has dominion, but rather that the Torah commands him to give in to her needs.
The Torah "throws in" a pasuk on the mitzva of milah in the middle of the subject matter at hand. It is possibly related to the same thesis. The male is commanded that he must make the changes to himself in order to conform. He has to "enslave" that part of the body to Divine service. Just as the moon was told to hold back and make itself smaller, so do those who follow the timetable of the sun need to know when to hold back.
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
