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Adam wanted to follow his own individual path, as opposed to the one that Hashem set out for him from the outset. He wanted to find for himself that which is the good path [by eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil], and he fell into the depths of sin and gave up hope [of spiritual redemption]. He was embarrassed and saw himself in full defilement. It was then that Hashem helped him by providing for Adam kotnot or. According to most commentaries, this referred to clothes that went on his body. However, the midrash (Bereishit Rabba 20:12) understands it as meaning kotnot ohr (with an aleph instead of an ayin as the first letter of the second word), which means that the garments were of lights. The Yalkut Shimoni (Bereishit 34) says that this means that He made him clothes that were like a lantern. What type of article of clothing is that?
What this means is that in the midst of the human coverings, which are ugly [in the way that they cover a person’s spiritual side], which includes a person’s aspirations and physical desires, there is a shining nucleus that can "light the person’s candle." This nucleus is gemilut chasadim. The Torah went beyond the letter of the law and revealed to man: "You shall chose life" (Devarim 30:19). This implies that the desire to do good and perform acts of kindness exists within man, and he just needs to be encouraged and aroused to action.
The Torah begins with gemilut chasadim – the Torah is a Torah of chesed. If a person does not approach the Torah with the attempt to uncover the chesed that is imbedded in the Torah, he will not reach his goal in the world.
There is worldly wisdom in the nation of Edom, and there is Torah in Israel (Eicha Rabba 2:13). Wisdom is distant and cold; it speaks about something without demanding full identification with it. Torah consists of instructions for life, and in that way Torah is "conceived and born" based on chesed.
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.
