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Another dispute: What did the Maccabim do when they found that 1 jar of unblemished oil? Did they put all the oil in the Menora at one time, so at least 1 day would be a "pure" & complete Mitzva? Or did they divide up the jar & place 1/8 of the oil in the Menora each night, so as to at least do some of the Mitzva?
The underlying philosophy behind both of these issues is the same: Should we try to go right to the top, shoot for immediate stardom, go for broke? Or, should we rather start small & work our way up, step by step, higher & higher, until we reach the summit?
In a world of perfection, of absolutes – like Olam Haba, which is populated by Angels & holy souls – the Halacha is indeed like Bet Shamai. But here on Earth, we mortals follow Bet Hillel’s approach, increasing light gradually, little by little, light by light.
Life is all about growth, about slow but steady progress towards a higher goal. Note how Yosef, our Sedra’s protagonist, grows significantly through the years: At first, he is an arrogant, somewhat conceited & immature lad. "V’hu na’ar," says the pasuk, he was but a "na’ar," a kid, a "work in progress." But later, after much trial & trauma, Yosef becomes a leader of men; he fulfills his destiny as the provider for his family & is a study in self-control. He has climbed the mountain from "na’ar" to "Tzadik."
Chazal tell us that the primary Mitzva which the Syrian-Greeks tried to deny to Am Yisrael was circumcision, brit mila. The Greeks worshipped beauty & the body. In their culture, a deformed child was left on a mountain-top to die, while those with fine physiques were exalted. (Thus, Helena, the goddess of beauty, was their primary deity, and their Olympics were conducted in the nude).
But we Jews believe that we are not born perfect; rather, we have the potential to reach perfection. This is signified by our very body, created "imperfectly" - until we perform the brit. By the same token, our souls – like our bodies - need a lot of work in order to reach their potential, & so we go about refining our neshamot through a daily regimen of Torah, Tefila & Tzedaka.
Life, & Chanuka, are like a sufganiya: Don’t try to swallow it all in one bite!
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
