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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- The Tenth of Tevet
- Yom Hakaddish Haklali
Moshe also makes the cryptic statement, on the phrase Bik’rovei Ekadesh ("through those who are closest to Me I shall be sanctified," Rashi, 10:3): "I knew, brother, that the Mishkan would only be built due the martyrdom of
someone, but I always thought that it would be you and I!"
While I have never been able to fully understand this chapter, and why it is that a righteous person must die in order for G-d's plan to proceed, I can relate to the reality that tragedy is an inherent component of Judaism, and it very often serves to ennoble, energize and enable Am Yisrael to go stoically forward.
My first position in the rabbinate was in Ft. Worth, Texas. The shamas of our shul was Abbala, an elderly, short bald man who spoke in a high-pitched, raspy voice that was barely understandable. He scampered to and fro,
bringing siddurim to the congregants, setting up the Kiddush each Shabbat, even cheerfully serving breakfast each Sunday after the morning minyan. He would hug me each time he saw me, and I loved him, as did we all.
I never knew Abbala’s story until a reporter for our local paper – who belonged to the shul – decided to interview him for Yom HaShoa. It turns out that Abbala spent several years in a death camp. Due to his tiny stature and
unusual appearance, the Nazis, y’mach sh’mam, made him a kind of "mascot." They mocked and ridiculed him, and even made him wear a tight dog collar that destroyed his vocal chords. They would pull him around on a leash, and
had him perform all kinds of menial jobs for them.
After learning of his history, I asked Abbala how he maintained his positive attitude towards life, and why he was so good to others. He said to me, "The Nazis castrated me, and so I never had any children. Now, all the people in our shul are my children. Each time I serve them, I am making up for all the times that I had to serve the Nazi monsters. That is my revenge, and that is what gives me life."
No Jew should ever be subjugated; that is a gross Chilul Hashem that should never be tolerated. But how we react to suffering when it does occur, how we dedicate ourselves to serving our fellow Jew and maintaini our faith,
that is a Kiddush Hashem of the highest order. It not only can modify our pain; it can even build the Bet HaMikdash.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
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)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(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)
Rabbis in Midrash
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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
