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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
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- Terumah
Yet I want to suggest that the term "Teruma" means more than "donation," & goes beyond silver & seal-skin, coins and copper. Oh, no; Teruma is a lot more than that. Consider a Pasuk in next week’s Sedra of Tetzaveh: Ahron & his sons take part in an elaborate inauguration ceremony, during which numerous offerings (sacrifices) are brought. And then the Torah says (29:28): "It shall be for Ahron & sons an eternal statute from Israel, it is a Teruma; & it shall remain a Teruma from Israel, their Teruma to G-d."
No less than three times – in the same pasuk! – the word Teruma is used, & all in the connection of sacrifice & offering. Not just a contribution – like the spare change we take out of our purse or wallet – but something apparently deeper & much more personal, more valuable than pocket money. What does this Pasuk tell us about the nature of Teruma? For a clue, let's turn to Hollywood.
The movie Casablanca is one of the all-time great films ever made. Richard Blaine, the expatriate owner of Rick’s Bar & Casino, is approached by Victor Laszlo, a Czech resistance leader opposing the Nazis. Laszlo is stranded in Morocco & desperately seeking transit visas so he might escape to the West to continue his vital work. At first, Rick is resistant & cynical, unwilling to help.
"Why do you go on fighting?" he finally asks Victor.
"Why?!" says an incredulous Laszlo. "You may as well ask why I go on breathing! If we stop breathing, we die. And if we stop fighting for what we believe in, then we let the whole world down!"
Rick - himself a former anti-Fascist activist – relents, &, well, you know the rest (or you must see the movie!). But here’s the main point: Teruma is not just about writing a check. It’s about what we stand for & what we believe in, what we, as Jews, offer to the world: A spiritual ideal & a path to G-d; & a bulwark against Amalek, be it in the form of anti-Semitism or Islamic radicalism. If there is ignorance, we Jews provide light & enlightenment. If there is evil, we are at the forefront of doing relentless battle with it, even at the risk of great personal sacrifice. That is our great national Teruma, & if we fail to offer it, if we stop fighting, then we let the whole free world down.
Here's looking at us, kid.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
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(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
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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.
