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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Va'etchanan
We will look at an interesting phenomenon that emerges from this Torah section. "Hear, O Israel (Shema Yisrael), the statutes and laws that I am saying in your ears today …" (Devarim 5:1). The Torah then (ibid. 4) describes the people’s level: "Face to face Hashem spoke with you at the mountain from the midst of the fire." This was literally awe-inspiring, as the pasuk says: "For you were afraid due to the fire" (ibid. 5).
In the section that follows the repetition of the Ten Commandments, the Torah describes the discussion surrounding Bnei Yisrael’s concern about continuing to hear "Hashem’s voice" (ibid. 20-25). The section ends off: "You, Israel, shall hear and guard to fulfill so that it be good for you …" (ibid. 6:3). Directly following this are the beloved words that every Jew says twice a day from the time of his youth: "Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem echad" (ibid. 4).
The level of encountering Hashem "face to face" (Shemot 33:11) is the greatest level of closeness to the divine imaginable. Every individual Jew should strive for such closeness even though he will not succeed in reaching it. Even Moshe – who "spoke to Hashem face to face" (Shemot 33:11) on an ongoing basis – when he asked, "Show me Your glory" (ibid. 18), he was turned down, as it says: "You will not be able to see My face, for man is unable to see Me and live" (ibid. 20). Despite this fact, David did "seek Hashem’s face" (Tehillim 27:8).
If this is a goal that cannot be realized, what is the practical solution? "Hear, O Israel (Shema Yisrael), the statutes and laws." If we rise to the challenge, then we can take the power of the experience of Sinai and successfully convert it into a serious ongoing relationship of "Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem echad."
We have merited completing the three weeks of mourning for the Temple to arrive at the seven weeks of consolation, during which we read haftarot about the great liberation. The Temple was destroyed due to baseless hatred, which is often caused by a failure to listen seriously to the words of another Jew. If we will be more attentive to our brothers’ voices, even if we do not always agree with them, we will merit the shining countenance of Hashem, and maybe we will approach the level of "face to face" with Him.
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)
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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
