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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Kdoshim
These opening words of our Sedra constitute the quint-essential "mission statement" of the Jewish People: Be holy throughout your life. But what does "holy" mean?
Some sources connect holiness with separateness; i.e. we should maintain a distinction from all other peoples on Earth, consecrating ourselves to a unique way of life & devoting ourselves solely to Hashem. They associate the word "kodesh" with "hekdash," a term that refers to offerings (animal sacrifices, monetary donations to the Bet HaMikdash, etc) that have been designated for a specific spiritual purpose & so may not be used for anything that is mundane or secular.
This is the reason why some Jews engage exclusively in "religious practices" such as Torah study or prayer, considering other pursuits as "bitul z’man" or a waste of our precious time; why they live in closed communities that shun any contact with the outside world & why they associate only with "their own kind," unless forced to do otherwise for compelling financial or health reasons.
That is certainly one strategy.
But our parsha is filled with Mitzvot – commandments – that discuss interaction with the world at large & the way in which we must act as we interface with others. These include dealing honestly in business dealings by maintaining accurate weights & measures (one of only 3 Mitzvot that promise long life); reserving a place in our fields for the poor; paying workers on time; refraining from misleading another person; not bearing a grudge or taking revenge on another; loving the convert; indeed, loving all of those around us, even as we love ourselves.
How can we fulfill all these mitzvoth, & so many more, if we lock ourselves in a virtual closet?
I suggest that Hashem created the world as an ultimate "training center." He could have made us all uniform, like-minded people who live totally identical lives. But that would frustrate His overall goal – molding our neshamot to their highest level of perfection. And so He created the possibility of poverty, to see how we respond to the needy; situations of social or sexual temptation, to see if we can control our urges & hold back our desires; & even war, to test if we’ll actively fight evil or just try to avoid it.
Kedusha, in short, is something you not only must learn, but something you must earn.
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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)
