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Beit Midrash
Our generation is no longer famous for being carpenters or plumbers, when we wish that our progeny should become hedge fund managers or academics of note. So, especially here in Israel, Jewish society has created a new type of professional person known as a "shiputznik" - a contractor that undertakes to supervise and sometimes even rebuild our existing home and apartment. This person does not do any of the actual work of itself. He is not a carpenter or a plumber, an electrician, or a mason. However, he has assembled a crew of people who do possess these skills, and he supervises them in the work necessary to be done, to transform one's own home or apartment from what it was to what we want it to be.
As in every walk of life, there those who are very good at their tasks and reliable as to their word, and, unfortunately, there are others as well. In the legend of Israeli society, it is the unkempt, unscrupulous, and discourteous "shiputznik" who takes center stage as far as legend and urban tales are concerned.
It is obvious that this is not really the case. Both empirically and statistically, it can be proven, repeatedly, the worth, honesty and goodness of most Israeli "shiputzniks." But usually, it is good, honest people who are the unfinished, raw material for the genre of legends. Yet, there are certain traits of the Middle Eastern home-improvement contractors ubiquitous, even amongst the best of them. The first is that the job is never quite completely finished. The last two or three percent of the work and improvement is usually left for the owner to somehow complete by himself. This practice is so widespread that it is almost inevitable, when embarking on a home improvement project in one's abode.
Time of completion is also somewhat flexible, for there are always very good reasons why the original time schedule can never be met. A looming intifada, God forbid, weeklong Moslem holidays, the advent of the Jewish new year, and of the Passover season, the Corona health crisis, and other such sundry occurrences in the Israeli lifestyle, always seem to interfere with the completion of the work during the time allotted and promised. And, since we live in a hot climate, things occur more slowly than they would apparently seem to transpire in different parts of the world. But never fret over the little things, since the "shiputznik" will eventually take care of the larger issues in the home improvement project.
There are many reasons why people embark on home improvement. A burst pipe, a collapsed wall, and a faulty electrical system will necessitate the compulsory home-improvement work. Usually, however, whenever there is a major issue that needs to be addressed, the owner of the home or apartment will now take the opportunity to redo the entire apartment. Bathrooms that are 30 years old still accomplish their given purpose, but in our age, bathrooms are so constructed and designed as to hide and obfuscate what that purpose is. The 30-year-old kitchen still is fully capable of producing food and meals on a regular basis. However, after a certain period, people feel that is impossible to function in proper dignity with an old kitchen and old appliances.
To help guarantee that one will always be able to be in the swing of things, in addition to coping with the disappointment that there are no longer parts that can be purchased to repair appliances which are decades-old, a new set of appliances must be purchased. In fact, the appliance industry is based on the supposition that all kitchen appliances will be renewed every 10 to 15 years. It has been my experience in life that sometimes the older appliances were still working well, and, in fact, are easier to use and more productive than their new shiny replacement. But one can never resist the rule of change and of newness. Hence, the ever-present "shiputznik," lurking just around the corner, eagerly awaiting our inevitable call.
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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.
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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.
