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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Tetzave
Notice that, curiously, the subject is left out of this opening sentence of our Sedra. Chazal explain: This is because Moshe's name does not appear anywhere in this Parsha, the only Sedra (from the time Moshe is born) that does not contain his name. This is a response to Moshe's plea to Hashem to "erase me from Your book" (32:32) if the Jewish People are not forgiven. Once Moshe had uttered these words, they had to be fulfilled. But why was this specific Parsha chosen to exclude Moshe?
Tetzave is all about the Kohen Gadol; the clothes he wore, the pomp & ceremony which accompanied his sacred service in the Mishkan. The position of Kohen Gadol is arguably the highest in the nation, for he alone could access the Urim V’Tumim & receive Hashem’s verdict for the nation on Yom Kippur.
While Ahron, Moshe’s brother, becomes Kohen Gadol, Moshe was actually the first Kohen Gadol! No doubt he would have liked to continue in this holy post, which brought a human being so close to G-d. Moshe already had the status of King & Navi; becoming Kohen Gadol would have completed the ultimate spiritual Triple Crown!
And yet, Hashem chooses Ahron, despite (or perhaps because of?) his role in the Golden Calf incident - a sin in which Moshe was guiltless - to be Kohen Gadol.
I suggest this is why Moshe stayed away davka from this Sedra; he wanted to give his brother center stage, a complete, total spotlight with no distraction at all. This is yet another example of the unparalleled humility & self sacrifice which defined Moshe’s greatness as a leader & a human being. Similarly, Moshe’s name will appear but once in the Hagada, though he is clearly its central figure.
But does this mean Moshe is forgotten? Of course not! He’s even more beloved & noteworthy by his very absence! He flees fame, but fame pursues him.
The story is told of a South African native with the unusual name of "Amazing." All his life, this modest, unassuming person felt embarrassed by his name, & so when he died, he asked that his tombstone omit his name & simply read:
"Here lies a good man, who never said a bad word, never hurt or cheated anyone. He raised a wonderful family, always wore a smile & loved each and every person he met."
And all the people who would pass by that stone in the cemetery would stop, read it, smile & say, "Amazing!!"
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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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)
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.
