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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: The totality of creation was created with wisdom, for a lofty divine purpose, which is far greater than the creation itself. Indeed it is normal that the purpose of something of value is more significant than the means that enabled it to come to fruition.
Similarly, divine wisdom is found in the depth of the smallest details of a subset of the creation. There is no need to attribute anything to something that needed to be for a reason outside of the framework of the general divine wisdom that relates to the details. While we may see cause and effect relationships that connect one occurrence to another, it is that the seemingly necessary connection was actually designed as part of the divine wisdom. A lofty intellectual, moral matter is a partner in all such existence. Therefore, there is not even a small thing that has no purpose that can be related to the power of creation other than to the elements of divine wisdom and mercy. This is what the gemara means by saying that nothing was created for naught. "How great are those things that You made; You made them all with wisdom; the world is filled with Your possessions" (Tehillim 104:24).
Related things are connected by means of belonging to a unified broad category of objects. The fly and the wasp are sufficiently part of one category so that one provides the antidote to the damaging power of the other. Sometimes the lower realm is connected to the upper realm of the creation of a species.
A mosquito is a most tiny creature which is at the bottom of the hierarchy of living things. The gemara speaks of it being something that ingests but does not eliminate in a normal manner. In contrast, a snake was created at the highest rung of the animal world, just that it lost from its stature due to its involvement in the sin of Adam and Chava. The low and the high are connected to take away from the danger presented by one of them.
Snakes have qualities that connect them to boils (see Bereishit Rabba 20:4), and snakes are able to relieve some of the suffering from boils. The samamit relates to the scorpion as being opposites. The scorpion causes damage without doing so purposely, but its poison is expelled as it walks. The samamit waits and plans for a long time to trap its prey.
Things are so connected in manners that show great wisdom, which shows the spreading of light of wisdom into all aspects of creation. Since there are so many connections, which employ so much wisdom, it is not possible to say that something was done for naught.
Ein Ayah Picking the Correct Animal to Avoid Becoming Like One
condensed from Ein Ayah, Berachot 9:246
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)
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
