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Man is able to derive enjoyment more so than animals, and animals derive more enjoyment than plants. This is true even though plants, unlike animals, receive nourishment constantly and without interruption. The reason for this is that the finer one's senses, the greater one's pleasure. A broad cognition enhances pleasure.
Let us say that we were to bring a drunkard the foods that he loves and play for him music that he loves while he was drunk. When he sobers up and is told about this he will be very upset that he was deprived of these pleasures due to his drunken state. When pleasure comes to a person while he is fully conscious, he appreciates it more fully. Preparing oneself for the sensation of pleasure and thinking about the contrasting lack of pleasure before the pleasure arrives heightens the pleasurable experience.
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
48 - 49. True Faith Brings Trust in God
49 - 50. One Hundred Blessings
50 - 51. Beginning the Day
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An example of this is the blessing, "You have kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this point in time." Pronouncing this blessing awakens within a person joy over the life which he has been graced with by God, and for God's having brought him to this joyful occasion. By thanking God for life and understanding that life is a gift from God, it is easier to accept sickness, and even death, when the time comes. One will have already pondered carefully and concluded that he has been receiving gifts all along from God, and that he is really worthy of being deprived of all this goodness because, "you are dust" (Genesis 3:9).
But instead, God has benefited him with life and pleasure, and so he thanks Him. And when God removes life from such a person, he will thank God also. He will say, "God gave and God took away. May the name of God be blessed." In this way, his whole life will be filled with pleasure.
If one does not subscribe to this perspective, his pleasures are base and low, like those of an animal or a drunkard.
Blessings give profound expression to the meaning of things which man comes into relation with. Via blessings, each article and matter receives its specific and magnified value. One must of course be careful that habit and routine do not destroy one's intention and transform the blessing into insignificant and burdensome muttering, like a lifeless body. A body which is empty of life is heavy; a living body carries itself. The same is true of blessings. When they are recited with proper intention, they are "alive" and they support themselves - and the one who blesses. The blessings are not a burden but a pleasure and they bestow goodness, majesty, and gratification.
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Some of the text in the above article is taken from or based upon Rabbi N. Daniel Korobkin's translation of The Kuzari (Jason Aronson Inc.).
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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
