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When a loved one dies, we are accustomed to pray, "May he/she rest in peace." But what is most important is that a person makes peace with himself before he dies, that he ties up all the loose ends in his life so that he can close the shop & his neshama can transition to Life Eternal.
All his life, Yakov has agonized over one central event: the B’Chora. Did he act properly when he wrested the blessing from his father by subterfuge? Did he really deserve to become the leader of the nation & the father of his country? Or is he a "heel," as his name implies?
And so, when Yakov calls for his two grandchildren in order to bless them, he does a rather strange thing: he reverses his hands & diagonally extends his right hand – the one symbolizing the primary blessing – toward Efraim, who was on his left side. In doing this, he is vividly replaying the scene of the B’chora, where the key bracha is surprisingly given to the younger son.
When Menashe, the elder, issues no protest & accepts the decision, Yakov innately knows that his actions have been validated, that he was right in believing that Jewish leadership is a meritocracy, not an aristocracy.
That this episode connects to the B’chora is made clear by mentioning that Yakov, like Yitzchak, is blind, & that an angel will bless the boys, just as an angel wrestled with Yakov & then blessed him with the name Yisrael, thus validating his actions vis a vis Esav those many years ago. Now, Yakov’s soul can rest at peace.
Yosef must deal with his own crisis: Does he hold any grudge against his brothers for what they did to him? And did he do right by bringing his entire nation to Egypt, a land infamous for immorality & depravity? Should he rather have sent them provisions, instead of taking them into a long Exile?
Yosef finally will conclude that, "Elokim chashva l’tova," whatever G-d does, He does for the good, & that this was all a necessary part of our eternal journey. And in his last words to his people, he assures them they will, they must return to Israel; no matter how privileged a life they may lead in Goshen that cannot be our home. And he makes his family swear an oath that they will take him with them when they do go. As Yosef takes his final breath, you can almost hear him confidently proclaim: "Chazak, Chazak, V’Nitchazek" – be strong, & strengthen one another.
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 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
