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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Sefirat Haomer
- The Meaning Sefirat Ha'omer
We're all familiar with the annual "count-up" that takes us to Shavuot, but some pesky questions surround the whole ritual.
The Torah specifies, "U's'fartem lachem - and YOU shall count," thus mandating that every individual counts for him/her self, even when another person - usually the Rabbi or Chazan - counts publicly in our presence. This is an exception to the general rule - based on the dictum, "Kal Yisrael arevim zeh lazeh, all Jews are responsible for one another" - that one person can be yotze, can exempt all others who have an obligation in that same Mitzva (Kiddush being the most well-known example of that).
And so, we all count the Omer each day between Pesach and Shavuot. Ok, fine and good. But why do we say a separate bracha each day?! If it is a complete set, then why not say one bracha at the beginning that covers the entire count? And if you will say that there is clearly a "hefsek," an interruption of a full day between counts, which therefore necessitates counting anew each day, then I will ask you a question. Why is it that if a person misses one day of counting, he cannot continue to count with a bracha?! If every day is its own, self-contained Mitzva, then why is he stopped from saying a bracha when he forgets? Let him begin again the next day!
In other words, is the Omer an individual act, or is it a collective one?
The answer, you may have guessed, is Yes - it's both! While the Mitzva to count is indeed incumbent upon the individual to perform on a daily basis, to merit the brachot it must encompass the entire count, because the Torah specifically requires, "Sheva Shabbatot t'mimot - seven FULL weeks," with no gaps or interruptions whatsoever.
And here we see the amazing connection to our present-day situation. On the one hand, we are very much on our own, separate and distanced from the world at large. Within our homes - even, for many of us, apart from our children and grandchildren - we are secluded; our world has shrunk down to the bare minimum. Yet on the other hand, virtually everyone else on the planet is in the exact same situation as we are! In that sense, we are not alone at all; we are just one piece of a gigantic collective undergoing the same challenge and praying for the same outcome.
And so, each and every one of us - several billion when you put us all together - are counting the days, literally, when we can emerge from isolation and bring a "Mincha Chadasha La'Hashem," a new and invigorated dedication to Hashem, who will bless us with health, life and Shalom.
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
