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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
It seems that the greatest lesson was what Rashi (Bamidbar 16:7) pointed out: "What did the wise Korach see that brought him to this silliness? His eye deceived him," in that he saw that the great Shmuel descended from him. This teaches us to what extent the "eye" can deceive: someone who was wise and great enough to see into the future still made a mistake so grave as to have him lose his whole world in a matter of moments.
A person should not be confident that he has his life under control. A person like Korach, who walked around filled with miztvot, wearing tzitzit and tefillin, and had access to the divine spirit, could make such a deadly mistake. Certainly he and the 250 heads of courts who followed him thought they were coming to save Judaism – a lofty and holy cause.
This can be because it is possible to be what the Ramban (Vayikra 19:2) calls a "disgusting person with the ‘permission’ of the Torah," but in so doing violate the edict to "be holy" (ibid.). It is interesting that Korach rallied around specifically that mitzva of being holy ("for all the congregation are all holy" – Bamidbar 16:3). He mistakenly thought that his approach was that of holiness and thereby he was a builder of Judaism, upon whose shoulders the nation would stand. He acted with the illusion that he was acting for heaven’s sake without realizing that it was the Satan who was pushing him and that his theory was a satanic one that would destroy him.
The divine calculations of what is a mitzva and what is an aveira are such that only one who has dominion over his evil inclination can discern (see Bava Batra 78b). If there is something wrong with a person’s control over his evil inclination, then his calculation of the mitzva is not a valid calculation. Then, one can speak of sanctity and in the name of sanctity, but really be speaking as a disgusting person.
Indeed, the purpose of the mitzvot is to discipline a person, so that the disgusting part is removed from his heart. Our religious belief is that only mitzvot can accomplish this. However, the mitzvot are but a tool [in this regard], and if they are not used [properly], it cannot work even if it is the greatest tool.
Parashat Hashavua Unfortunate Disbelief in the Coexistence of Opposites
1988 – from Siach Shaul, p. 388-390
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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)
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.
