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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
R. Avraham Ben David
One who doesn't examine himself and his actions - won't be aware of his shortcomings and won't be able to mend them. One who doesn't display discretion and alertness regarding his ways, exposes himself to outer influences and to all sorts of character inclinations, and becomes a slave to his desire.
This is not the case with one who contemplates and inspects his ways. Through the very act of contemplation he already rules over himself, for he is aware of his situation. And this brings him to point himself in the right direction.
The ways of examination are built upon two principles:
Pathways in Personality Development (52)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
1 - 1. The Quality of "Zehirut" - that Man Contemplate His Actions
2 - 2. Introspection
3 - 3. "Zehirut"- Inhibiting and Contributing Factors
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B. Contemplation of one's behavior, of the actions which one performs, to determine if they fall into the category of good actions or evil ones.
There are good things which a person doesn't do, not because it's difficult to do them, but simply because of carelessness, and were one more attentive, he would readily mend his error and act accordingly. There are bad things which a person does simply because he doesn't discern that they are bad, and were one more mindful, he would certainly stop doing them.
A person who doesn't pay attention can sometimes insult others through speech or behavior without sensing that he's done something offensive. Meanwhile, the inflicted is offended and insulted to the point of shame. Afterwards, the guilty party is surprised at why the offended distances himself from him. Had he sat and considered his words and his behavior towards his partner, he would have noticed that that there was something in them which was liable to offend, and would have resolved to be more careful.
It can happen in relations between children and parents. Sometimes a person doesn't notice that his speech or manner of behavior towards his parents is discomforting to them. They restrain themselves and the child doesn't realize that he's offended them, which is certainly not good. The child didn't intend it, yet the fact that he didn't intend to offend is not enough, for - they've been offended. One who examines his actions and weighs them well, will be able to detect errors like these and to mend them. Often it's very easy to mend, yet people are simply unaware of their mistakes and errors.
Therefore, one who wants to mend his ways - must contemplate and examine himself in all of his actions, like a factory manager who sits and inspects, over and over, the ways in which the factory operates, setting designated times for examination of each department, and searching to locate each stumbling block in order to fix it. So too, each individual must set aside for himself fixed times for soul-searching. And this is in keeping with what the sages have said regarding the verse: "Therefore the rulers say, 'Let us enter into an accounting' (Numbers 21:27) - Therefore the rulers over their evil inclinations say, 'Let us come and calculate the world's account, the loss entailed by the performance of a mitzvah, against the gain that one secures through it, and the gain that one acquires through a transgression against the loss that it entails...' " As Scripture states, "The path of the wicked is like pitch darkness; they do not know upon what they stumble (Proverbs 4:19)." Conversely, the wise are careful, as it says, "The wise man sees the evil and hides, and the fools pass on and are punished (ibid. 22:3)." And, "Let us seek out our ways and examine them, and we will return to God (Lamentations 3:40)." So, the first step in building oneself is not to flee and not to hide but to take hold of oneself.
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 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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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
