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In order to express complicated concepts in a simple manner, the Torah uses "key words" or "guiding words." These hint to the one who studies the texts what some of the main themes of the section are. The fact that the root nitzav is used twice in this section, post-Golden Calf, when the root is also found to describe Bnei Yisrael preparing to receive the Torah earlier at Sinai (ibid. 19:17), connects these two periods. Similarly the root is also present in the word matzeva, involved in Bnei Yisrael’s connecting to Hashem at that momentous occasion (ibid. 24:4).
We will suggest that all of these "linguistic" phenomena hint that after the forgiveness granted after the great sin, Hashem’s Presence returned to dwelling among the nation. This is because the root nitzav in many places is used in cases in which the Shechina is present.
When Avraham encountered the three angels after his brit mila, it says that they were nitavim alav (Bereishit 18:2). The famous ladder that Yaakov saw leading to the Heaven was also nitzav on the ground and was followed by Yaakov’s making a matzeva (ibid. 28, 12-18). When Yosef wanted to hint that his dreams were a result of a prophetic vision, he too invoked the verb nitzava (ibid. 37:7).
It is also used when Miriam was standing at a distance, watching what was happening to her baby brother, who was put in the Nile (Shemot 2:4). Chazal therefore stressed that already at that time, Miriam had been serving as a prophetess, saying that her mother would give birth to the savior of Israel. When he was born and the house became filled with light, her father was elated that she seemed right, but when they were forced to put him in the Nile, her father expressed his skepticism. She stood there (with the root of nitzav) to confirm her prophecy, i.e., that which the Divine Presence conveyed to her (see Megilla 14a).
Moving on to Tanach, the gemara (Sota 11a) relates that this root in the story of Hashem’s revelation to Shmuel for the first time was a sign of the presence of the Shechina. Amos (9:1) also tells of Hashem being nitzav on the altar. Finally, Tehillim (82:1) talks of Hashem being nitzav in the presence of a Jewish court. From here, we see that Hashem’s Presence is found in a beit din.
Let us pray that we will experience the return of a palpable Divine Presence, in general, and within the judicial system, specifically, as the pasuk describes the spiritual situation.
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)
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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)
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(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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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)
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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)
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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
