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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Balak
What is the message behind the presence and demise of the giants? How does it connect to how Hashem looked out for His nation? The struggle between Avraham and Nimrod-Amrafel started in Ur Kasdim. Avraham escaped miraculously from the furnace and then began his trek to and around Eretz Yisrael. Although his main focus was on forming a nation that would change Eretz C’na’an into Eretz Yisrael, he also hoped to rid himself of Nimrod. Avraham’s nation would be dedicated to pursuing charity and justice (see Bereishit 18:19), the opposite of Nimrod’s "values." But Nimrod made it to Avraham’s Eretz C’na’an with other regional kings and conquered the land. This included a political statement that the land belonged to the descendants of Cham, not Shem.
Let us look back in history at the real purpose of Nimrod’s battles – to remove most of the giants from the Land, so that hundreds of years later it would be easier for Bnei Yisrael to enter Eretz Yisrael from the east. Moshe finished off the job by defeating Sichon and Og. Kalev removed giants from Chevron, but they still remained in the Plishti area. Why did they remain?
The Egyptians viewed Eretz C’ana’an as part of their sphere of influence. It provided them with a path to Mesopotamia. When the new Phlishtim, with a set of giants, arrived on its western coast, the Egyptians lost their free route. While this deterred Bnei Yisrael from taking the coastal path to the Land (Shemot 13:17), it also prevented the Egyptians from attacking. Only when David established a strong government in Jerusalem, with an army feared throughout the region, was there no longer a need for the giants to protect the coastal route. We see in the Torah (see Vayikra 26:32) the advantage at times of removing other inhabitants from the Land only at the right time from the perspective of Bnei Yisrael. Eventually, the sons of Avraham would set up a nation in the Holy Land dedicated to charity and justice. But the giants are just one example of something that was understandable only in historical retrospective, not at the time.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
