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Beit Midrash
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- Passover - Pesach
But did the all-seeing G-d really need a "sign" in order to know who had or had not kept his command to offer up the lamb?
Fast-forward now to near the end of the Hagada. There, in a dramatic gesture, we fill Eliyahu’s cup, open the door for the prophet of Moshiach, & rise to recite a short but controversial prayer ("Sh’foch Chamotcha"), in which we
bid Hashem to destroy the nations that have rejected G-d & brutalized the Jewish People. Fittingly, the Psalm in the Hagada which immediately follows this prayer (115) ridicules the idolaters, who "should become deaf, dumb & blind, just like their idols."
Is this not somewhat of a harsh way to conclude the Pesach Seder, which, in it’s closing section, speaks of our longing for the glorious Messianic Age & Israel’s revival, as in "L’Shana Haba’a B’Yerushalayim?"
I suggest that the message being sent to us is that, while we surely need Hashem’s help & guiding hand, we also need to step up & play our own part in the Redemption. And a crucial component of that participation is having the guts, the courage to stand up to the immoral & oppressive forces that abuse us & all that we stand for.
By taking the blood of the Egyptian deity – no small act of courage - our ancestors showed Hashem that we had more faith in Him than we had fear of Pharoah. The blood, Rashi says – contrary to popular opinion - was placed on the INSIDE of the doors & not the outside. Thus, while it sent a clear message to G-d that we were willing to risk our lives to show our allegiance to Him, it also reminded us that we had returned to our former status as a proud, defiant People. Our slavery of the spirit was over.
So, too, our willingness to stand up – with the door wide open - & demand justice on the nations that "consumed us" is a similar sign that we are no longer helpless, hapless victims, forbidden from expressing our opinion & forced to take whatever the Diaspora dishes out to us.
The ultimate expression of our freedom? It is confidently standing up to the world & unabashedly claiming our rightful place in the State of Israel. That door, too, is wide open, waiting for all of Jewry to get up & walk right in.
Passover - Pesach Example of Shifting Gears to Build a Jewish Nation
Erev Pesach which Falls on Shabbat
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
