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Beit Midrash
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Yet there are numerous other subjects which Moshe Rabbeinu raises in the sedra. One of them is the Mahn, the Heaven-sent food which sustained us throughout our 40-year desert experience. Moshe says it was given to us "to test us." Yet if the Mahn fell every morning - with little or no effort from us - what was the test? And how is the Mahn related to Eretz Yisrael?
The test of the Mahn lay in the fact that no matter how much of it we collected, it lasted for only one day (except for the double portion - the "Lechem Mishne" - of Shabbat). No one could hoard the Mahn or save it "for a rainy day." Why? Because Hashem wanted us to "work" for our subsistence - with Avoda Sheh'b'lev, the work of the heart. The fact that we did not know for sure where tomorrow's meal would come from - in the midst of a harsh wilderness where no other nourishment was available - prompted us to fervently pray to Hashem & be thankful when the next day's food fell from Heaven.
In this sense, Mahn is closely related to money (mahn-ee?!) which, if we have too much of it, too easily, can often lead us to believe more in ourselves than in G-d, & become less desperate & intense in our prayers to Him for parnasa.
And this, you see, is the connection to Eretz Yisrael as well. The parsha reminds us that Israel is not like Egypt, where the Nile overflows its banks & waters the land; where you look down & you see water. Israel depends upon the rain for our fertility; here, one must look up to the Heavens for our deliverance.
The message is clear: We have been given a marvelous Land, unequalled on Earth; a land where every element of topography & geography can be found: desert, ocean, river, mountain, tropical sun & snow-capped peaks. You can scuba dive in the morning in beautiful, sunny Eilat, & slide on the snow of the chilly Chermon in the afternoon!
But the performance of the land, and our ability to live here safely & successfully depends upon our behavior. If we do not take Israel for granted, if we act morally & justly, if we appreciate and acknowledge that this is truly "G-d's country" & daily cry out to Him for His divine protection & grace, if we are willing to sacrifice for the right to be here, then & only then will the rains come and we will merit eternal presence and protection in our land.
Our neighbors Egypt or Turkey may have natural sources of abundant water at hand. But not Israel - we have to cry us a river.
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
