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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: It is true that wisdom "spreads its branches out" over the entire world of thought and all the elements of life and activity. It covers good and evil, and truth and falsehood, so that from all of these the power of clarification and the light of life can be expanded. In fact, from matters of stupidity, matters of wisdom become known (Zohar, Vayakhel 47:2). Yet, in order to really understand matters, the feeling of the heart is often integral to the knowledge itself. In such a case, while he can imagine with his mind, he will not be able to grasp them until he also feels them with the heart.
The above creates a self-conflicting situation, which makes it incredibly hard for great people, who have elevated themselves properly in seeking truth and justice, to reach full wisdom. On the one hand, these people need to "arm themselves" with every area of knowledge in the world, including paths of evil, foreign influences, and inanity. These include feeling the negative elements, for only by internalizing them will one be able to rule over those elements and turn them into powers of goodness and divine light. On the other hand, if he feels them as they are, he runs the risk of actually falling into the "net" of the evil.
It is therefore necessary for the great man, who far exceeds a normal person, to first make special preparations in field of ethics, and develop a holy attribute of truth. Then he can delve into the very essence of matters until the depths of his heart and soul. If he succeeds at reaching this unique level, then even the lowly exposure to evil cannot harm him, but will enrich his recognition in a way that will enable him to contribute to the nation as a whole by teaching them how to avoid the pitfalls of the evil.
This ability, to reach the depths of all matters, whether good or bad, in a manner that encases all elements of his life, was a central goal of Shlomo in building his monarchal dynasty for all generations. That required him to go to the depths of even the most foreign worlds, including those from which a normal person would not be able to extricate himself. Shlomo, in contrast, had all the tools and the motivation to prepare himself. Because of that, the inclination toward evil developed in him only when he became older, by which time he had already filled himself with proper preparation to handle the challenge. That is when his wives turned his heart toward other gods. In such a case, the fact that his personal heart was not as complete as David’s, and in fact brought him to the brink of terrible sin, was actually an advantage in his quest to improve the nation. It was actually the tendency toward the sin that ensured that he would not sin because he internalized the fact that these sinful matters were full of depravity that can trap people. Only the greatest of all minds could succeed to follow such a dangerous path – to have his heart go toward sin but not to act in sin as a result.
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)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 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
