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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Beshalach
But hidden in the text, I suggest to you, is much, much more than that; in fact, virtually all of Jewish history is encapsulated in the very first paragraph of our Sedra. So let’s now take our own journey along with Bnei Yisrael:
We read, "v’lo nacham Elokim….ki karov hu." Hashem didn’t take us on a "short cut" to Israel, but rather took the long way. Rashi says "nacham" can mean "to lead," but we know the usual meaning is "to pity, or console." I suggest G-d is telling us right from the get-go this will not be a cushy, comfy journey either to Israel, or even when we get there. It will be hard – but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. As Tom Hanks famously said: "If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. It’s the hard that makes it great."
And then the Torah uses the word "chamushim." While there are many commentaries on this word, the simple translation is "armed." Simply put, we had weapons with us. We would have to organize an army & we would have to fight, for although Hashem is an "Ish Milchama," He asks that we live according to natural behavior & do our fair share, even if that means we risk our lives in battle.
The pasuk then references the "bones of Yosef" that we took with us on our voyage. Clearly, this sends the image of all our martyred people throughout the centuries who sacrificed their lives for Hashem, the nation & the land. Think the Dry Bones of Yechezkel or the bones left in the crematoria after the Shoa. They are also a part of us, & so we are reminded, "hashbe’ah, hishbiya," we took a sacred oath when we became a People that we would stand together & we would keep the Torah; G-d, for His part, would guard us eternally & bring us home to Israel.
The first place we stop at on this tiyul thru history is, fittingly, Sukkot. The Sukka is in itself a microcosm of the Jewish experience: it emphasizes the Land, where our sukka must stand; it has shaky walls much like our fragile existence; but its true essence is that which is above us.
"Hashem will lead you in a pillar of cloud by day & a pillar of fire by night." There will be pleasant times when we can leisurely watch the clouds roll by, yet other times when we must pass thru fire. G-d will be there at our side through all of it. We will survive fire, & water, & we will emerge intact on the other side, singing a song of victory & proudly proclaiming, "Hashem yimloch l’olam va-ed!"
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)
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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
