YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Passover - Pesach
- The Seder Night
The prophet Elisha (II Kings 4) was asked to help the wife of one of the prophets whose husband had died, and who was unable to pay her debts to her creditor, who now wanted to seize her two children as slaves:
Now a woman, of the wives of the disciples of the prophets, cried out to Elisha, saying, "Your servant, my husband, has died, and you know that your servant did fear the Lord; and the creditor has come to take my two children for himself as slaves." And Elisha said to her, "What shall I do for you? Tell me what you have in the house." And she said, "Your maidservant has nothing at all in the house except a jug of oil."
Elisha asks the woman what she has in her house. Why is that important? Why does he not help her immediately? Furthermore, the Zohar states that if the woman had said that she had nothing at home, the miracle would not have happened. Why?
The Zohar explains that the prophet required a small amount of oil, because even a miracle needs to be ignited. What is the significance of this idea? One answer is that the Holy One, Blessed be He, does not want to perform miracles by producing something from nothing, and He prefers to maintain, to the greatest extent possible, the normal course of the world. That is why miracles take place only through objects that already exist. Alternatively, we can explain that God demands that a person must exert at least a small amount of effort, and only afterwards does He add His blessing.
We can offer yet another explanation. In order for God to extend His blessing, a person must recognize the good things that he already has. A person needs a jug of oil, small as it may be, for which he can be thankful. If a person does not succeed in seeing the good that he has, it is impossible to grant him an additional blessing, as he would be unable to appreciate it.
We live in a world of great wealth and abundance, thank God. However, sometimes even the most lavish meals are not enough to satisfy us. The Seder night is one of education. Each participant is challenged: do you want to be a free man? Know that there is absolutely nothing to which you are entitled. You need to work for everything, not just receive gifts, and, as a result, you will appreciate everything you receive! One who is unable to appreciate and be thankful for small things will not be entitled to receive anything, and certainly not great blessings.
The Seder night begins with the eating of karpas – a simple portion of vegetable. As is our custom today, this is a sprig that is even smaller than the size of an olive. However, after a full day of eating little and preparing a great deal, even such a small bit of vegetable has significance. We must learn to appreciate a sprig of karpas, even though it is such a small piece. Nothing we receive in the world is self–evident – we have to be thankful for everything!
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)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
