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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayetze
Rashi explains: Yakov never would have slept there, had he known that this was a holy place, the future site of the Bet HaMikdash. He would have continued on to a less holy site in order to rest his head.
However, Rav Moshe Feinstein says that Hashem davka wanted Yakov to sleep in that sacred spot! For what Yakov "did not know," & what G-d wanted very much to teach him – and us! - was that every activity we perform in life - be it eating, dressing, or even sleeping – can be a holy act, if only we have the right outlook, intent & attitude.
When we eat, for example, we glorify G-d by reciting a blessing acknowledging that He provides our sustenance. We show respect for others by talking - & especially by listening! – in a dignified manner as we sit around our table, saying "please" & "thank you" as the food is passed. When we dress, we carefully & consciously choose clothes that reflect the dignity of a tzelem Elokim; clothes that are at once attractive & clean, yet modest. And when we lay down to sleep, we ask ourselves if we have used our day wisely; we beg forgiveness for any wrongs we may have committed during the day, & we request Hashem to guard us during the night as we "re-charge" our batteries through the gift of sleep, so that we can serve Him again, at full strength, tomorrow.
Yakov awakens & immediately builds a Mizbeyach. He offers oil upon it & consecrates the spot as the "House of G-d." He calls the Bet HaMikdash a "house" for now he understands that which he did not know before: that our home is the essential "laboratory of learning" where we may perceive & practice myriad Mitzvot on a daily basis & strengthen our relationship with Hashem. In fact, even the inanimate house itself can be a holy thing, if it hosts guests under its roof; if its walls house books of Torah; & if its "airspace" contains the sounds of learning, prayer, friendship & love.
The Torah begins, interestingly enough, not with an Alef, as we might have assumed, but rather with a Bet - the very letter which means "house" (& is actually shaped like a house, with an open door to welcome others!) Hashem is telling us that living a Torah life begins with the way we conduct ourselves each & every day inside our own Bayit.
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)
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)
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)
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.
