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Our sedra of Re’eh contains what I call the "elastic clause" of Judaism: "Do what is good & right in the eyes of Hashem." Now, we had this very same directive just two parshiyot ago, in Va’etchanan, so apparently G-d & Moshe felt that it needed to be repeated & reinforced.
But these words, lovely as they may be, are oblique. What, after all, is "good," & what is "right?" Any 10 people will give you widely-varying interpretations, because everyone has an opinion of what constitutes Good & Right. Indeed, I would suggest that is why the Torah is so detailed, with so many Mitzvot in every field, in both the written & the oral law. Add the rabbinic commandments, decrees (g’zeirot) & binding minhagim, & everything is spelled out so that nothing is left to chance.
Now, some commentaries DO try to define this "good and right" clause. Rashi says it means we should try to reach a compromise in any inter-personal dispute & give others the benefit of the doubt rather than assume the worst. The Sifrei says we should conduct ourselves in a manner that meets with the approval of Hashem – who is called "Tov" – as well as our fellow human being. The Ramban interprets this as looking out for the welfare of our neighbor, recognizing that he is no less a creation of the Almighty than you are.
But I think the message goes beyond any one particular action. Hashem is telling us that He can only legislate so much, & list only so many do’s & don’ts. At some point, we’re going to have to gain a general understanding of how we should behave, an inner knowledge that this is the way G-d would want us to act in any given situation.
In Yiddish, we call this seychel, the 5th, unwritten volume of the Shulchan Aruch. It is the manifestation of all of our book learning, the net product of the wisdom & insight we’ve ingested through the years. In short, it is the secret ingredient that turns a man into a mentsch.
Rav Moshe Feinstein, the great 20th century posek, not only had an encyclopedic knowledge of the Torah, he had a unique insight into human nature & behavior that went beyond the words on a page. This allowed him to see "the whole picture" when decided a case. As an example, he ruled twice on the minimum height of a synagogue mechitza; once putting it at 60 inches, another time at half that. Asked how he could contradict himself, he answered: "The questions, you see, were asked by two different groups. One was a non-Orthodox shul turning Orthodox, the other an Orthodox shul becoming more liberal. My answer depends which way the Mechitza is heading; if it’s on the way up, it may start small & eventually grow. But if it’s on the way down, it must stay at its full height!" Saychel.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
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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.
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(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.
