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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayigash
Now, Hashem comes to Yaakov – for the first time in 22 years – in a "vision of the night," & promises him, "Anochi eyred imcha Mitzrayma, v’anochi a’alcha gam aloh;" I will both descend with you into Egypt, & also raise you back up (to Israel). Yaakov must balance two most conflicting emotions: on the one hand, he does not want to leave Israel - perhaps he prophetically senses that, despite Hashem’s pledge to him, he will live out the rest of his days in Egypt, & only return to the Holy Land in a casket.
On the other hand, he is desperate to be reunited with Yosef, not only to see his beloved son alive – a miracle come true! – but also to know that at long last his family will again be complete & whole. Fittingly, the Torah’s narrative at this point pauses to list Yaakov’s genealogy & name all seventy of his family members who will be accompanying him to Egypt – kal nefesh banav u’v’notav.
This desire for family unity drives Yaakov forward & gives him the strength, at the advanced age of 130, to make the grueling journey to Egypt, where he will spend the remaining 17 years of his life with his entire family.
A bit of gematriya reinforces how special this time was for Yaakov. The combined numerical value of the two Parshiyot in which Yakov is together with all his loved ones, Vayigash & Vayechi, totals 353. This is the same number as the word "Goshen," the place where the family lived during all those years, as well as the word, "simcha, happiness." Living together in Goshen, it would seem, was a great joy for patriarch Yaakov.
Yaakov’s predicament & mixed emotions are so relevant to the world we Jews live in today. For many of us, our burning desire to accept Hashem’s gift to us & enjoy the blessing of living in Israel – not to mention fulfilling a fundamental Mitzva of the Torah – is tinged by sadness & regret that many of our family, personal as well as universal, are not here to share in this miracle together with us.
Perhaps that is why, when asked by Paro how old he was, Yakov replies, "few & bad have been the days of the years of my life." Yaakov, I suggest, understood that true happiness can only come when all our extended family finally lives together in the redeemed Land of Israel b’b’a’.
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(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)
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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
