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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ki Tetze
For example, the Mitzva of returning a lost article. The Torah says, "You shall not see the wandering oxen of your fellow Jew, v’hit’a’lamta mey’hem," & hide from them. Yes, it’s a hassle to concern yourself with someone else’s property – why should you have to deal with it; the owner should have been more careful watching it! But Hashem says, "go out" – help him, even if it puts you out for a bit.
Then there is the slave who escapes from a (harsh) master & runs to you when you liberate a city. You neither need nor want a slave; you already have all the mouths to feed that you can handle. You’d much rather send him back to where he came from & attend to your own affairs. "No," says Hashem; "go out" of that comfort zone & give him refuge & asylum.
Our Sedra also talks about the prohibition of charging a fellow Jew interest on a loan. Yes, he might be more than happy to pay the interest; & why should you lose that interest when you could make money elsewhere from it? But, says G-d, "he’s your brother," so go the extra mile, go out of that comfort zone & waive the interest, because that is what we do for family.
You see your workers in the field eating your grapes; your inclination is to tell them to stop – these are my grapes, not his! You lend someone money, & they give you their coat as a security deposit, & then they want it back when the weather gets cold. But hold on a second - they haven’t yet repaid the loan! Your instinct says, "be strict, be tough, I have the right!" But Hashem says, "True, you do have the right; but I want you to "go out" – give them the grapes to eat & the coat to wear."
Finally, our Sedra ends with the command to wipe out Amalek, our arch-enemies & the epitome of evil in this world. Destroy them, eradicate them – no mercy, no exceptions. But you waver; you’re not "hard-wired " for violence, you believe in the goodness of Man. And, after all, these are people, too; "it’s just not in my nature to be brutal, I’m a man of mercy," you protest. But Hashem says, "I realize that. But these terrorists are the scourge of Mankind; your 'mercy,' in actuality, is cruelty, for they will kill others mercilessly unless you kill them first. Go out of your comfort zone, show them no kindness or reprieve. It is hard, but it is necessary."
"Go out," says Hashem, and I will "go in" to your Neshamot & make them pure.
Igrot Hare’aya Excitement over a Friend’s New Newspaper – #319
Date and Place: 4 Menachem Av 5670 (1910), Rechovot
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)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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)
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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
