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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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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
