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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Yaakov Ben Behora
"Such is the service of the Jewish people. We are commanded to make pilgrimages to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem from wherever we reside. This journey involves many difficulties and expenditures, yet, all the same, the Jew fulfills this obligation with great happiness and joy. The Jew is likewise commanded to tithe the first and second tithes, as well as the tithe of the poor, to bring obligatory festival offerings, to leave the land fallow during the Sabbatical and Jubilee years, to make expenditures for the Sabbath and festivals, to abstain from work during those times, to bring a variety of sacrifices to the Temple for various reasons, and to observes laws connected to ritual purity and impurity.
"All of these commandments call for great effort and they all must be carried out according to detailed guidelines which have been given to us by God Himself. This is the nature of the Divine service of the Jewish people, a service which encompasses all aspects of life and which is carried out with great inner desire, lovingly and joyfully. This was how the Jewish people conducted their lives from the time that they entered the land of Israel and throughout the period of the First and Second Temples which lasted approximately 1,300 years. And had Israel followed the correct path, this way of life would have continued indefinitely."
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
39 - 39. The Commandments - A Beloved Burden
40 - 40. Reward and Punishment
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The Rabbi responded, "A nation that perceives that its source of reward and punishment—the Divine Presence—is in its midst. Such Divine providence is discernible in Miriam's punishment of spiritual leprosy immediately upon maligning Moses, and in the punishment of Nadav and Avihu who brought an inappropriate incense offering before God. The biblical phenomenon of house, clothe, and human leprosy was supernatural, not a normal sickness, and it was clear to all that such diseases were forms of Divine punishment. All of these punishments served to evidence the Divine Presence amongst Israel.
Just consider what happened to Israel when Achan took from the consecrated goods (Joshua ch. 7). A single individual amongst 600,000 sinned, yet because of him all of Israel was punished. Immediate, revealed punishments demonstrate God's providence over Israel and the Divine Presence which resides amongst them.
This, then, is the answer to the question, how is it possible for a nation to meet such demanding requirements? It is possible because the Jewish people are unique. They are not your normal nation. The Divine Presence resides amongst them, and this situation brings with it privileges - and demands. The many demands that come with being a unique nation demonstrate Israel's preeminence. When the the nation as a whole senses the presence of the God in its midst, it possesses the power to live a sacred existence, a pure existence.
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)
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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
