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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- The Three Weeks
- Mourning Over the Churban
The Romans were brutal, & cruel beyond description in their destruction of Yerushalayim, the Bet HaMikdash & the Jewish state. They murdered more than a million people & enslaved more than 100,000, bringing many of them to Rome to be tortured for public enjoyment. In fact, it is believed that the Coliseum in Rome – a standing monument to Man’s inhumanity to Man – was actually built with spoils taken from conquered Judea.
To emphasize their great victory over the Jews, a special coin was minted by Rome. On one side is the figure of Emperor Vespasian wearing a victory wreath; on the other side a Roman soldier stands over a Jewish woman who is sitting alone under a palm tree. The inscription reads: "Judea Capta" (Judea is a captive). And of all the many Roman victories throughout the world, only that over Israel is commemorated by a standing monument, the infamous Arch of Titus, Vespasian’s son who directed the carnage. The captive Jewish slaves were made to march through that arch in humiliation.
But flash forward 2000 years. The "glory that was Rome" is long gone. The State of Israel has been proclaimed, & on 5 Iyar, 1948, Rome’s chief rabbi leads his community through the Arch, proudly demonstrating that we are alive & prospering, while the Romans are a distant footnote of history. (I myself had the merit to lead several hundred Jews in the singing of Hatikva under that same Arch).
And in 1958, to commemorate her 10th birthday, the State of Israel prints a special gold (& silver) coin. The coin depicts a woman, "Judea", standing erect, next to a blossoming palm with a sheaf of corn (later strikings have a baby) in her arms. At her side, on the other side of the palm tree, a man holds a hoe, about to plant a new tree. The text says: "Israel Liberata" (Israel is now free!)
There is no doubt that we still suffer as a result of the downfall of the two great Jewish commonwealths. The Jewish People are still fragmented, with almost half our nation still dwelling in Exile – with many not even realizing they are in exile! The Bet HaMikdash has not been rebuilt - indeed, we have yet to openly reclaim sovereignty over Har HaBayit. And the sins which caused the destruction – violence, a diluted moral posture & intra-Jewish animosity – are still very much a lingering problem.
Yet, at the same time, even as we mourn & confess our many shortcomings, we must pour out our gratitude to Hashem; He has miraculously returned us to Israel & allowed us to rebuild a magnificent Yerushalayim and country. The best – we pray & have unshakeable faith – is yet to come.
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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.
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
