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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Vayakhel
In cataloging the many & diverse objects & materials used in the Mishkan, our sedra of Vayakhel mentions the copper basin that was used to wash & prepare the Kohanim for their avoda. Rashi points out that this basin was made from mirrors donated by the nation’s women. Moshe was reluctant to accept the mirrors, for they were used to help the women make themselves attractive, so as to entice their husbands to be intimate with them. As such, Moshe felt that was not very tzanua, modest.
But the women were insistent. They felt that these mirrors were instrumental in helping the families in Egypt to re-populate, despite their husbands' depression & fatalism. It was the women’s ability to re-introduce passion into their lives that brought Bnei Yisrael back to its full strength. And so the pasuk adds, "asher tzavu petach Ohel Moed;" they massed in protest at the Tent of Meeting. And in a rare occurrence, Hashem overrules Moshe & tells him to enthusiastically accept the mirrors; they were perfectly suited to prepare the kohanim for their holy service.
Passion, you see, is not taboo in Jewish life. Quite the opposite – every Mitzva, every Minhag should be done with anticipation, excitement & unabashed passion.
Earlier in the parsha, we were told that the Nesi’im, the princes of the nation, had donated the precious stones for the Ephod. But the word "nesi’im" here is spelled deficiently; the two Yuds – which form the name of Hashem – are conspicuously missing.
The princes had decided to "hold back" to see what the general populace would donate, & then they’d "fill in the blanks" to complete the inventory. But the people responded so generously & abundantly, that virtually nothing remained. So the princes had to scramble to come up with the gems, & not be left out completely. Their intention was quite noble; they guaranteed that the needs of the Mishkan would be met, no matter what. But G-d was not pleased; he wanted everyone – pedestrian & prince – to be so filled with a fervor to help that they would rush forward as quickly as they could. When the Nesi’im delayed, Hashem "removed his name" from them to show His disapproval. (Later, at the Mishkan’s dedication, the Nesi’im would atone for their complacence & come forward first, enthusiastically, to bring their offerings.
The Eagles said it so well: "You're afraid you might fall out of fashion, & you're feeling cold and small. But any kind of love without passion, ain't no kind of lovin' at all."
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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
