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Beit Midrash
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Life is about learning, & the Jewish sojourn in Mitzrayim was meant to be the learning experience par excellence; its profound lessons should be studied & scrutinized, & should never be lost on us.
As our Sedra opens, G-d orders Moshe to approach Paro & warn him regarding the 8th Plague, locusts. "I have hardened Paro’s heart," He says, "so as to multiply My wonders, & so you can tell your sons & grandsons what I did to Egypt, so that all may know that I am Hashem."
Moshe then proceeds to meet Paro, & tells him about the impending locust attack. "They will cover the earth, they will consume your crops & completely fill your houses. It will be something never before seen by the likes of your father & grandfather from the time the world was formed."
Notice the subtle phraseology Moshe uses? About Am Yisrael, he talks of future generations’ sons & grandsons. But vis a vis Egypt, he cites previous generations.
There are many Eastern religions that do not believe in a Supreme Being. Instead of worshipping G-d, they pray to their ancestors. But Jews, while revering those who came before us - either in our own families or in the collective history of our People - pray only to the One G-d. (When we visit cemeteries, we ask our loved ones to use their merit & intercede for us with G-d; we don’t pray to them.)
We are answerable not only to our predecessors, but also to those who come after us. We cannot make decisions based only on past precedent; we also have to consider the effect on future generations. They are the ones who will reap the reward or punishment for what we do today.
Ben-Gurion met with his advisors to decide whether or not to declare Statehood. Then he dismissed the group & said he must first consult with 2 other people before he can make his final decision: one of them was his Zayde, long since dead; the other his grandchild, not yet born.
I wish I had a 5-shekel coin for every time someone came up to me & said, "Rabbi, you know, my bubbie was a tzadeyket & an Ayshet Chayil & my zayde was a Talmid Chacham & a distinguished Rav!" I always reply, "That’s indeed very impressive; but I’m even more interested in who your grandson & granddaughter will be! That’s truly accessing the power of the day after tomorrow!
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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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
