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Jews throughout history did not just doubt whether they were physically capable of gaining control of their Land. Rather, they also had misgiving over whether they could run a country in the Land while still keeping a life of Torah. Isn’t it easier to live as a Jew in the Diaspora, where the agriculture is in non-Jewish hands? Then a Jew can look for an "easy and clean" profession, one that will allow him to spend some extra time davening and learning some mishnayot and spend the evening in the beit midrash? Can a state exist without an army, and can the existence of an army go hand-in-hand with ideal Torah education and greatness in Torah scholarship? Will that not cause an increase in secularism, to the point that this nation would no longer be fit to inherit the legacy of Avraham?
Let us examine these questions in light of Yitzchak’s blessings to his sons. Yitzchak did not intend to make Eisav the full firstborn, but rather his idea was to divide the elements of leadership. Eisav was to be the man of action, business, and worldliness. Yaakov would remain a tent dweller, removed from worldly activity. Each would live peacefully with the other and complement him. However, that is not the way Hashem wanted it. He chose Yaakov to assume both mantels – the dew of the heaven and the fats of the land.
Yaakov was daunted by the task. Chazal explain that he saw on his ladder nations going up and down. Hashem encouraged him to climb up, but he was afraid (Shemot Rabba 32). Yaakov was supposed to oppose Eisav from the beginning, but instead he ran away and tried to appease him. This was a dereliction of his task. Going to the Diaspora, which he thought would enable him to serve Hashem with more freedom, did not work out. While he did not have to battle, the building of a family was not easy for him (see Hoshea 12:13).
The phenomenon returned along the lines of "the actions of the fathers serving as a sign for the children." The new Diaspora was Egypt. This too came about as a result of a misunderstanding of the proper fusion between the physical and spiritual worlds. Why were the brothers jealous of Yosef? They did not want him to have prominence in practical affairs since he was the one who studied the most Torah with their father. They did not want him to use what proved to be great political skill on family affairs; he should stay in the tent with their father. They thought it was haughty to think he could do it all.
At the end, the mistakes became clear. It is not better to leave the practical world to the gentiles, and it is not possible to have an ideal spiritual state among them. Maror represents the physical torment the non-Jews will exact from us, and matza represents the need to quickly extricate ourselves before their spiritual decadence dooms us. The korban Pesach represents the third lesson – that the liberation of Israel is carried out as part of a divine plan, which one needs to take part in and not avoid. Without these three elements, we have not fulfilled the mitzva of Pesach.
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: 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)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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
