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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Shoftim
Our Sedra, clearly, revolves around the concept of Justice, with the 41 Mitzvot in the parsha covering a wide variety of scenarios: Setting up a proper court system; prohibiting bribes; appointing prophets, kings & Kohanim as arbiters of the law; punishing false witnesses; respecting an individual’s "space;" behaving decently during war-time; even treating fruit trees with care & concern are all part of the overall justice system.
Along with these many subjects is that of the Ir Miklat, the City of Refuge. Here, a man-slaughterer who killed by negligence (the classic example is a hunter who accidentally killed another hunter instead of an animal) would flee & reside therein in order to escape vengeance from the victim’s next-of-kin. (There were 6 such cities, including Chevron & Shechem in modern-day Israel).
On the surface, the concept of Ir Miklat seems to go against the overall trait-Mida of justice. Why would we countenance vigilantism? If the perpetrator is guilty of murder, then let him be executed. But if he is not, then why should a relative – though he is understandably upset ("his heart is hot," says the pasuk) – be permitted to take the law in his own hands & take another person’s life? Does the Torah really want to promote the "law of the jungle?"
The Torah, I suggest, is teaching us about the sanctity of life, & the need for ultimate justice to be carried out. Ever since Kayin killed Hevel, & Hashem declared, "the bloods (unborn descendants) of your brother cry out," it remains
a sacred principle that there must be expiation when a life is taken & future generations are prevented – even when the killing was not willful. Ideally, this should be the function of the courts, of the Shoftim & Shotrim who are mentioned in the very first pasuk.
But when that system breaks down & does not function as it should, the Torah allows for justice to come about via the direct involvement of the victim’s relatives. Not an absolute, unlicensed act of revenge, but only one carried
out through the specific medium of the Ir Miklat.
All of this should bring home to us the necessity of guarding life – ours & others - & reacting strongly & swiftly whenever innocent lives are endangered or taken. Freeing murderers, going soft on terrorists, accepting deadly acts as simply "part of the territory" not only commits the ultimate moral outrage, it is an affront to Hashem Himself, & cannot be tolerated in a just universe.
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)
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
