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Rashi explains that before Moshe’s mission began, there was a period of hester panim (a hidden divine face), a phenomenon whose dangerous consequences can be appreciated by those of our generations and many others. Therefore, with the "knowing," Rashi explains, "He put his heart upon them and did not turn His eyes away."
Ibn Ezra explains in a different direction: "Hashem saw the Egyptian treachery that they performed openly, and He knew what they were doing clandestinely." According to this, the topic of the knowledge was the Egyptians’ behavior. The idea of torture done behind the gates of death camps is also something we, unfortunately, can relate to.
Abarbanel says:" On the one hand, he heard Bnei Yisrael’s anguish, and on the other hand, he saw that Bnei Yisrael acted in the manner of the Land of Egypt, regarding their idolatry. Despite this, Hashem tipped their judgment toward merit, "knew" them, and had mercy on them to liberate them." Abarbanel seems to be based on a midrash (Rabba, Shemot 1). "Hashem saw that they will in the future rebel at Yam Suf, and He knew that they would say there ‘He is my G-d;’ He saw that they would say [at the Golden Calf] ‘these are your gods, Israel,’ and He knew that they would say ‘We will do’ before ‘We will hear.’"
The midrash is trying to deal with the nation’s situation: on one hand, it is able to reach great spiritual heights and, on the other, it falls into deep pits in regard to keeping mitzvot and fear of Hashem. This crucial pasuk, at the cusp of liberation, provides a great lesson for our times. If we want to know what can cause Hashem to "rule" in our favor, we can look at the next passage in the midrash: "He saw that the average people repented and even the wicked people had thoughts of repentance, and Hashem knew, because one person did not know what was in his counterpart’s heart, but each one had thoughts of repentance in his heart."
This teaches us that people may tend to repent in a way that only Hashem knows. It is not only the righteous who "carry the nation on their backs." Even the average and the wicked lend a hand and are righteous in their own way. In the past years, despite deterioration in certain areas, there are hidden holy thoughts in the nation, and these sprout up in between the cracks throughout Israeli society. This is a much broader phenomenon than the movement of open teshuva. This joins with open advances in Israel in important areas.
Even if the path is long, let us internalize our parasha’s message. We should look for these thoughts of teshuva, including in social, moral, and values-based fields, and encourage their growth. If we rush matters and think we can easily turn them into full teshuva, we will ruin progress. But the seeds are there. "Hashem knew." Friends, let us employ patience.
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)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
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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)
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)
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
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
