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- Parashat Hashavua
At Sinai, a one-time event occurred – a point of connection was made between Heaven and earth. Rabbi Yossi said: "Never did the Divine Presence come down nor did Moshe and Eliyahu go to the Heavens." While the Torah writes that "Hashem descended onto Har Sinai," that was only 10 handbreadths above the mountain (Sukka 5a).
Moshe Rabbeinu and Elyahu Hanavi were very unique people, and they also had a lot in common. They both went 40 days without eating or drinking, and they both had special divine revelations at Sinai/Horeb. They both taught us that it is possible to free oneself from the bonds of time and place by finding the point of contact between Heaven and earth.
But again, there was still at least a minimal separation between Heaven and earth. Total freedom is found in Heaven, and total slavery was found in Egypt. Moshe came as close as man can to the freedom of the Heaven when he went up to Mt. Sinai, and along with him, Bnei Yisrael also did to an extent. Chazal (Shemot Rabba 29:4) tell us that "their souls flew off" at that time. This happened when Hashem granted their wish to see His glory and hear His voice. Since man cannot live through such an event, they lost control of their souls, along the lines of Shir Hashirim (5:6): "My spirit left me when I spoke to him." They were restored to life "when the Torah asked for mercy for them."
What does it mean that the Torah asked for mercy? The answer is that Torah study gives life to those who engage in it. While we cannot actually go up to the Heaven, we can have a taste of it in this world by learning Torah. This is the secret to the "path to the tree of life" (see Bereishit 3:24). The more one learns, the more he "eats from the fruit of the tree of life" and becomes a freer man. Thus, true freedom was not achieved from the Exodus but required the giving of the Torah.
For that reason, leaving Egypt started with the mitzva of brit mila. One has to set boundaries for the strongest human instinct, which draws man to overly stress his material side and does not allow him to strive for Heaven. The boundaries that the Torah sets allow one to return to that great moment of the giving of the Torah, and the meeting of Heaven and earth.
Therefore, the famous machloket between Rashi and the Ramban in Parashat Kedoshim is not one "of the root" but of stress. Rashi stresses that we sanctify ourselves by means of the mila, which happened in preparation for the Exodus; therefore he says that being sacred means staying far away from illicit relations. The Ramban stresses what happened at Sinai, when we tried to resemble Hashem by separating from permitted material matters ("sanctify yourselves by [refraining from] that which is permitted to you"). That allows one to "return to Sinai" as much as he can.
We are between Pesach, Korban Pesach, and the creating of the covenant, and the holiday of the giving of the Torah, and we are elevating ourselves throughout the sefira. Amidst all of this, may we help all of Am Yisrael join this great process, and thereby become an ever-increasing "free nation in our land."
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
