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Beit Midrash
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- Kdoshim
While numerous reasons are given for their deaths, they can all be summed up by the first pasuk in our reading, "B’karvatam lifnei Hashem, vayamutu." They came (too) close to G-d - and they died. All their acts – adding to the prescribed offering; entering the Mishkan when it was not called for; getting drunk; even refraining from having children – all these were done in an effort to supercharge their spirituality and come closer to the Almighty.
But how do we reconcile Nadav and Avihu’s fate with the opening pasuk of our second Sedra: "Kedoshim tih’yu, ki kadosh ani Hashem Elokeychem; Be holy, for I, G-d, am Holy." If Hashem wants us to be "kadosh/holy" – a word which means, "to separate ourselves for a higher purpose," then isn’t this exactly what Nadav and Avihu did?!
I want to suggest that Nadav and Avihu were not so much punished, as they were the victims of their own actions. They took so much upon themselves, they so "overloaded their circuits" with such massive spiritual energy, that the whole system broke down, and they experienced burn-out. They came too close to the Heavenly fire and, despite their good intentions, their wings got singed and they crashed.
There is a profound lesson to be learned here. G-d surely wants us to get close to Him, to come under His wings and within His protective force-field. But if we get too close, if we cross the Divine line into the "red zone," we risk losing everything and plummeting into the depths of despair.
I had a friend once who was determined to start a Yeshiva – no small undertaking. He devoted himself to that noble cause night and day, 24/7. In doing so, he neglected everything else, including his family. He stopped being a normal human being living a normal life, with its mix of business and pleasure, Torah and time out. He was unable to relax, to enjoy and to partake of G-d’s world. He would not even listen to his own Rebbe, who pleaded with him to not be so obsessed. In the end, tragically, he lost it all – his friends, his family and then the Yeshiva itself.
The end of our double-Sedra discusses the idea of "Havdala - separation. We have to separate from unholy practices, from the impure and the treif. But NOT from life itself! We have to know how to balance acting holy – and
acting human - all at the same time. No easy task, but our mission nonetheless.
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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)
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
