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Moshe strenuously protests that he is not a good speaker, as a successful leader must be. Maybe it’s the speech defect, whatever that may have been; or maybe it’s that he is now more comfortable in speaking Egyptian or Midianite – which he has done for more than half a century - rather than the Hebrew dialect of the Israelite slaves.
Moshe also insists that he is certain that the people will not believe he can help them, despite his royal bearing & his seeming ability to move freely in and out of Paro’s palace. Even the "pocket miracles" which Hashem gives to Moshe to impress the people – the water into blood, the stick-becomes-a-snake trick, the leprous hand – fail to convince Moshe that he will succeed in establishing his credentials as a messenger of G-d sent to their rescue.
Finally, in apparent desperation, Moshe throws up his hands & says, "shlach na b’yad tishlach," send whoever you will send. This sounds like the child who keeps nudging his parents over & over again to be allowed a candy snack, until the parents finally give in & say, "fine, eat whatever you want, just leave us alone!"
But is this really Moshe? Does the great defender of Israel – humble as he may surely be – not want to help save Am Yisrael from their dreadful plight?! It almost seems that Moshe is more concerned for himself than for us!
But Pirkei d’Rabi Eliezer explains what is really going on here. Moshe, isn’t evading for evading’s sake. As a prophet, he knows that while he may succeed in extricating the Jews from Egypt, that is not the end of the story. While we will make it to Israel, & build the Bet HaMikdash, it will be destroyed. Exile will result, then returning to Israel & rebuilding, & then more exile. Redemption, alas, is far off.
So Moshe, for our own benefit, says to Hashem: "Please, G-d, don’t send ME - the temporary redeemer – send instead the final redeemer & bring Redemption now!"
But Hashem tells Moshe: "That isn’t how Jewish history works. There will be good times & bad times, successes & failures, triumph & tragedy. You may not be the last hero, but nevertheless you must do your part & fill in your piece of the puzzle. Do not be discouraged, for Redemption will come. But for now, you must do your share. And so, too, must we!
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)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
