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One of the great miracles that led up to the freeing of our forefathers from Egypt was that of the frogs. "The Nile will be full of frogs, and they we will come out and enter your houses, your bedrooms, and your beds, and in the houses of your servants and in your nation, and in your ovens and your food" (Shemot 7:28). Chazal pick up on the proximity of mention of the oven and the food and point out that the food is near the oven when the two are hot, which shows us that the frogs entered the oven when they were being used for cooking, showing that the frogs risked their lives in order to sanctify Hashem’s Name. They derived that specifically the frogs that entered the hot ovens survived and were able to return to the Nile, while the rest of the frogs died and smelled up the Land of Egypt (Midrash Shochar Tov 28).
Chazal (ibid.) also tell us that Chananya, Mishael, and Azaria, who were thrown into a furnace rather than bow down to an idol, learned from the frogs. They reasoned that if the frogs, which did not have the merit of their forefathers, were able to miraculously survive when they risked their lives for Hashem, the sons of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov, who are commanded to sanctify His Name, certainly are required to risk their lives to sanctify His Name.
We find the concept of being willing to go into a furnace coming up in another context. Tamar was about to be burnt to death for a form of adultery. She knew she could blame her father-in-law Yehuda, but decided that she was willing to die rather than embarrass him, if he were not ready to admit his involvement (see Bereishit 38:25). The gemara (Sota 10b) learns from this episode that a person should prefer throwing himself into a fiery furnace to publicly embarrassing his counterpart.
The conclusion is clear! There is nothing greater than a life of sanctifying Hashem’s Name. And there is nothing more despicable than to shame a counterpart in public!!
It is the job of parents, teachers, youth group leaders, and certainly rabbis to make every effort to prevent occurrences of shaming, of any sort, certainly when people use the new technology of social media. We have quickly learned that this powerful tool, which can certainly be used for good things, like gaining public support for good causes and other wonderful purposes, can also be used to cause horrible human destruction.
When educators allow the use of technology for social and educational connections, they must ensure that there is, in every circle of young people using it, an open adult monitor of the activity. He should get involved only when shaming or some other damaging activity is going on. These are matters of life and death.
Let us learn from the frogs and Tamar how to go about our lives properly. Do not embarrass; do not harm. Let us, rather, sanctify Hashem’s Name in the way we lead our lives.
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)
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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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.
