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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Mishpatim
holy, elevated fashion vis a vis both G-d and Man.
Each Mitzva should be carefully scrutinized and studied for its teachings. Sometimes, even a single word in that one Mitzva can have a world of meaning and impact.
Let’s take just one example: The pasuk says, "Im Kesef Talveh et Ami." The accepted meaning of this is, "When you lend money to one of My people (do not charge him interest). Although the word, "Im" usually means "if," the assumption is that this is not really a choice, but a strict requirement commanded to us - we must lend a fellow Jew the funds he desperately needs, if we can.
But there is also a case to be made for sticking to the usual translation of "Im" as "if." Because many of us, as soon as we see a poor person approaching, already start mentally preparing the ifs, ands or buts as to why we
shouldn’t give. "IF I was wealthier, I’d surely give!" "IF everyone else gives, then maybe I will, too." "IF he was Zionist/Charedi/Secular (pick one) then I’d give to him!"
The story is told about the rich but stingy man who rarely opened his wallet, always finding an excuse not to give. One day he was approached by someone collecting for a poor chatan and kalla in town. But he shook his head, "I
don’t approve of the shidduch!" he proclaimed.
There are a million and one reasons not to give. And so the Torah says, "IM kesef talveh" – WITH all your "IM’s," your "ifs" you still have to give, because I, Hashem, say so.
And here I must repeat one of my favorite "vortlach" that I heard from Rav B.Z. Kaganoff z"l. For some people, life is about the "if" within the word L-if-e. They look back with regret and say, "IF only I had made that investment; IF only I had taken that job, IF only I’d married that other person, then things would have been so much better."
But for a Jew, life is "Chayim," and within the word "Chayim" is the double Yud, standing for Hashem. If we try to live a G-dly life, if Hashem is central in our lives, then whatever happens to us, we never lose faith, we never give up hope, because we know Hashem is with us, guiding us to where we need to go. IF that is your outlook, your life will always be rich and rewarding – no ifs, ands or buts about it.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
