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The same type of language is used in Yirmiyahu 30-31. "…an eternal love I have loved you, therefore I have extended grace to you … You will still plant vineyards in the mountains of Samaria, planters plant …" (ibid. 31:1-4). "Just as I was diligent in their regard to uproot and smash and destroy and ruin and do bad, so will I be diligent in their regard to build and to plant" (ibid. 27).
There is an interesting development. In the opening prophecy, the builder and planter is Hashem. In the later ones, Hashem calls upon Bnei Yisrael to build the cities and plant the orchards of Eretz Yisrael. He also said: "You will still plant orchards … place for yourself road marks, put your heart on the road that you traveled, return O virgin of Israel to these cities of yours. How long will you avoid it, you wayward daughter? For Hashem has created something new, a female will encircle a male" (ibid. 4, 20-21).
For close to 2,000 years, Am Yisrael waited for a miracle from the Heavens, that a liberator would appear as a messenger from Above and bring redemption to Israel and the world. The approach of waiting was strengthened by the midrash of Chazal known as the three oaths, which opposed Israel taking decisive action to return to the Land of their own volition. The fear of the oaths and the expectation of an "awakening from Above" combined to hold us back from action. But Yirmiyahu took a stand, arguing that we should not be inactive, as we saw above: "How long will you avoid it, you wayward daughter?" That which it continues "For Hashem has created something new, a female will encircle a male" is based on the famous metaphor that in our relationship with Hashem (upon which Shir Hashirim is based), Hashem is the male, and we are the female. Here, then, Bnei Yisrael are expected to be active instead of passive. And indeed, the Gra called on his disciples to take action and move to Eretz Yisrael, which hundreds did, despite the enormous difficulties. On the other hand, the rest of Bnei Yisrael at that time was still "avoiding it."
The push came more than a hundred years later, when Binyamin Zev Herzl (whose yahrtzeit is around now) succeeded in creating a national movement that changed the mindset of the nation and the world. Yirmiyahu’s call for road marks (tziyunim) took on a new meaning with the rise of Tziyonim who built the Land. Many members of the nation have flocked to the Land, and the ingathering is still in progress. May we merit to fulfill more and more of Yirmiyahu’s comforting and exciting prophecies of national renewal, after thousands of years in the painful exile about which Yirmiyahu is famous for prophesying.
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
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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.
