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- Chemdat Yamim
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The Abarbanel asks several questions on these p’sukim, of which we will bring two. One is an apparent contradiction, in that elsewhere the navi tells of the punishment that will come to the nations, who fight Bnei Yisrael at that time, whereas here the navi speaks about the nations following in Bnei Yisrael’s light, repenting, and singing out in praise of Hashem. Another question is on the pasuk that implies that those who are liberated will come to Eretz Yisrael with their riches. The Abarbanel considers this hard to believe, considering what he knew from those tossed around in exile who needed liberation, for example, after the expulsion from Spain. Since when do Jews in exile have money to bring with them?!
The Abarbanel was correct until our days, but this is no longer difficult to believe. In the merit of our holy forefathers, the situation is very different and the prophecy as prophesized is occurring before our eyes. Jews have come from the exile with their money!
We will bring the words of the early commentators on some of these p’sukim and then try to add some little extra ideas at their fringes. The pasuk about giving light, according to Targum Yonatan and the Radak, refers to Yerushalayim. According to the Ibn Ezra, it refers to the renewal of the monarchy (i.e., independence) and prophecy. Rav Shlomo Alkabetz, the protégé of Rav Yosef Karo, in his beautiful poem, Lecha Dodi, featured prominently the call to Bnei Yisrael, represented by the Queen Shabbat, to reestablish an independent Jewish state in Eretz Yisrael with Yerushalayim as its capital. This was the vision of the holy rabbis of Safed, who came to Eretz Yisrael after the expulsion from Spain with great optimism and belief in the hastening of the liberation. This was very different from the way of thinking of the Abarbanel, who experienced, first hand, the horrors of the cruel Inquisition.
"For your light has come," according to the Radak, means that the time of the liberation, which is a great light, had come. The darkness described in pasuk 2 refers to the troubles of the hostile nations, while we experience light. In recent years, we are witnesses to the great miracle of the flourishing of the State of Israel while the neighboring nations live in relative darkness. The Radak continues that the nations following in the light refers to the nations that Yeshayahu describes as seeking to go up to the mountain of the G-d of Yaakov. Indeed, we see in many ways how the nations look up to Israel for its achievements.
We should always remember that to make progress on the road toward fulfilling more and more stages in this liberation we must work on our national unity. Hashem loves united Jews!
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
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)
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)
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
