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Beit Midrash
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- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Nitzavim
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Revital Bat Lea
The Ramban and Seforno explain that the mitzvah is repentance. Most of the commentators take Chazal’s approach that it is referring to Torah and mitzvot in general. The midrash (Midrash Tehillim 119) picks up on the nuance of the words "lo nifleit hee mimcha" (literally, it is not out of grasp of you) and says that Moshe was saying that it is not objectively out of grasp and if it seems so, it is from you, meaning you did not toil over it. This midrash implies that when a person looks at the Torah as an external burden, it will appear distant. When one is willing to work on and connect to it, he will find that it is close, indeed within him.
The gemara has an interesting approach to the terms "in the heaven" and "across the sea." Rav says that Torah is not found in one who views himself above others or whose desires are spread out like the sea (Eruvin 55a). Good personal attributes such as humility and simplicity are conditions for accepting the Torah in such a way that it becomes part of a person’s lifestyle.
We will conclude with a difficult midrash on the words "lo nifleit he mimcha." It says that even if you need to have flesh cut off to allow you to learn Torah, you should have them take from you. The midrash says we do not actually do so, but how can it entertain such a possibility? The Radvaz (1052) rules that if a king says he will cut off one’s limb or kill someone else, he need not sacrifice his limb. His source is that the "ways of the Torah are the ways of pleasantness" (Proverbs 3:17), and it does not make sense that the Torah would require one to go blind or have a hand or leg cut off to save someone else.
This seems like a far-fetched occurrence nowadays, but the concept does arise frequently, for example, regarding donating a kidney, where there is little danger to the donor’s life, to save someone else. The Radvaz’s feeling, that his human moral intuition is an indication of what the Torah expects, provides another meaning for "it is not in the heaven." The Torah was given to people with their feet on the ground even as their heads strive for the sky. They are to apply the Torah in a manner that keeps it rational and "on the ground" even as it is lofty.
Let us pray that by keeping to this principle, we will merit to "find grace and good wisdom in the eyes of Hashem and man" (Proverbs 3:4), in the heaven and on the ground.
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
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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
