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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Beha'alotcha
At the end of Parshat B'reishit, when the Torah says "…and his days shall be one hundred and twenty years", it does not imply that one cannot live longer, since we see that even after the flood there were people who lived more than 120 years. The actual meaning is that the world will continue to exist another one hundred and twenty years until the flood.
In any case, the age of 120 is considered – in Judaism and universally – the age of peak perfection, probably because Moshe Rabenu lived 120 years: "And Moshe was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye had not dimmed, nor had his vitality abated".
Why is it that Moshe, specifically, achieved this "age of maximal perfection"?
Why don't human beings live forever?
One reason may be that people must clear a space for those succeeding them. While they are still alive, the next generation's ability to function and progress is limited.
In our weekly portion of B'Ha'alotcha the Torah says about Moshe Rabenu: "Now the man Moshe was exceedingly humble, more so than all men upon the face of the earth". Humility does not mean a lack of self-esteem. A truly humble person knows and realizes the value of what he is and does, but his aim is not personal success and achievement. His goal is the accomplishment and success of the mission. Therefore, he does not begrudge and is not jealous of others working towards the same goal. Quite the opposite, he is glad that the mission is advancing and succeeding! The paragon of true humility is one who knows how to give others a place.
Everyone should know how to give others a place, and do so, during their lifetime. However, the time comes when one must depart this world so others may have the opportunity to continue developing and improving the world.
Moshe was the most humble of all men. He did not encroach on anyone's territory, or tread on their toes. Rather, his attitude was: "Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, that the Lord would bestow His spirit upon them" (Bamidbar 11, 29). Such a person can indeed remain alive "tuntil one hundred and twenty", since his presence in the world enables others, too, to continue to develop personally, and advance the world towards its perfection.
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: 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)
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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
