YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Behar
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
1. The laws of shemitta, which forbid working the Land during that year, also mandate that all segments of society and the animals of the Land partake in eating the fruit that grows (Vayikra 25: 6-7).
2. In the yovel, all slaves are to return to their homes (ibid. 10-13).
3. In the context of the law of yovel that people return to the family plots that were sold, one must be careful to charge a fair price for the field (ibid. 23-24).
4. There are additional limitations on the sale of real estate, including the ability to "redeem" a field that was sold (ibid. 25-34).
5. It is prohibited to lend money with interest, "for I am Hashem, your G-d, Who took you out of Egypt" (ibid. 35-38).
6. One cannot overwork his eved ivri (servant) and must set him free after six years or in yovel "for they are My servants, whom I took out of Egypt, they shall not be sold the sale of slaves" (ibid. 39-46).
7. One should make efforts to redeem a relative who was sold as a slave to a non-Jew "for to Me are Bnei Yisrael servants. They are My servants, whom I took out of Egypt; I am Hashem, your G-d" (ibid. 47-55).
What is the common denominator between all of these different laws? In truth, all of these laws are connected to the concept of yovel. Yovel represents freedom. A free person has the right to make acquisitions and to have sovereignty over his body and his time. The laws of our parasha give legal, halachic weight to these concepts. Along with this freedom, stresses the Torah repeatedly, our ability to be free stems from the exodus from Egypt that Hashem performed for us with great miracles.
On this backdrop, let us review the aforementioned halachot. (1) Every seventh year the land is as if ownerless, as all have equal access to its produce, for indeed the Land always really belongs to Hashem. (2-4) There are limitations on the attempt to permanently take over another man’s property or body, because one person cannot negate the basic rights of another. (3-5) One must ensure that he accumulates wealth in a fair manner, and the wealthy or sly should not use his power to get rich through usury or trickery. (6-7) If our fellow man is forced to sell himself into slavery, we are required to take steps to protect his Divine form, which calls for him to be free as soon as possible.
Let us pray that the basic rights engendered in our parasha will be kept through the principle that only a servant of Hashem is fully free.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts