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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Matot
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Masei
In next week’s sedra of Masei, Hashem designates 6 cities of refuge to be built, places where involuntary manslaughterers can go to escape vengeance from the victims’ next of kin. 3 of these cities were to be in Israel proper, 3 were to be across the river in Trans-Jordan. The Gemara in Makot asks the obvious question: Why was it necessary to create as many refuge cities in trans-Jordan as in Israel, when there are only a quarter of as many tribes on the east bank? To this, the Talmud answers that murder was more prevalent on the east side of the Jordan than on the west side.
This needs some exploration. What was it that caused there to be more violence among the Jews in one area than in another? Were Reuven & Gad more violent people by nature? If so, where is there any indication of this?
Now, we might want to suggest that since these 2 ½ tribes chose to live apart from their fellow Jews, that indicated a basic flaw in their moral character & perhaps this is what accounted for their violent tendencies. But, in fact, not only did R,G & M cross the Jordan in order to fight alongside their brothers for 7 years, they actually stayed after the war for 7 more years until all the land had been settled. This was quite commendable, & should have earned them merit!
But as noble as their actions may have been, the stark reality is that they were away from their families for 14 years; their children grew up without a father figure in the house to help guide them & mold their character. And without that crucial "home schooling," the children lacked a strong sense of discipline, which later would be manifested in an increased prevalence for violence.
Of course, the murders we are speaking of here were not cold-blooded or premeditated; they were involuntary & accidental. But they nevertheless stemmed from a failure to fully appreciate the preciousness of life & the need to behave in a way that safeguarded the other person’s welfare, the need to carefully watch out for our neighbor’s good as zealously as we watch out for our own well-being.
This vital life-lesson of being concerned for all of society, and not only ourselves, is best transmitted by a stable, well-adjusted, cohesive family unit, something that sadly was lacking in this province. It is a model that is no less crucial to us today than it was then – perhaps, even more so.
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
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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)
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.
