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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Passover - Pesach
- The Month of Nissan
But folks, everyone likes a nice intro! In fact, even our Chagim have an "intro" to set the mood for them before they begin. Consider: The High Holidays have the month of Elul, which prepares us for Teshuva & introspection. Purim has Ta’anit Esther; Tisha B’Av has the 3 Weeks. Pesach, I suggest, has Parshat HaChodesh. Always read before the month of Nisan, this last of the 4 special Parshiyot commands us to honor Nisan as month #1. In essence, our calendar - & our history - begins again.
This is the primary message of Pesach, is it not? No matter how gloomy things appear, no matter how hopeless the situation seems, we need never despair – there is always hope, always a second chance for us if we are ready to seize the moment & act upon it.
The Jews of Egypt had reached a dead end: They had sunk to a depth of behavior barely above the Egyptians; they were bitter, depressed & resigned to their fate. They did not even want to bring children into the world, knowing what awaited them. No slave, Chazal say, had ever escaped from Pharoah’s clutches. How would they, so downtrodden & despairing, find salvation?
But their pessimism proved unfounded. There’s always hope, because – like the moon – we are a resurgent people. We may wane, but we never disappear. From the most unlikely of places – Paro’s palace itself! – our hero would emerge. He would forsake the life of luxury to cast his lot with his enslaved brothers & evoke G-d’s saving hand. In short order, the tables would turn: We would become star players on history’s stage, while the mighty Egyptians would be reduced to a footnote in history.
Among all the holidays, only Pesach has a phenomenon called "Pesach Sheni." If you miss the 1st Pesach (for a valid reason) you can "make it up" a month later & bring the Korban Pesach in Iyar. Again, 2nd chances. All is not lost. There’s always an open door, if you really want in.
Pesach, then, is the Chag of "open-doors." Not just for Eliyahu, but for everyone - even the rebellious Rasha has a place at our Seder table! And so we open the Hagada by welcoming strangers to our Pesach celebration; indeed, close to 90% of the Jews in Israel attend a Seder each year! And now - Baruch Hashem, our societies are "opening" after more than a year of Corona closures.
So don’t be "plagued" by pessimism; have faith in G-d & "take a chance" – a second chance - to make it right.
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.
