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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Emor
All right, we hear the commandment. But what, exactly, does it mean "to be holy?" What is holiness?!
There are no less than 51 Mitzvot enumerated in this sedra; 13 "do’s" & 38 "don’ts." Perhaps we can discern "holiness – kedusha" by using these Mitzvot as a guide. So let’s see how it is that we should act:
Clearly, our interaction with others should be done in a "God-ly" way: We should hold our parents in awe; we should devote part of our field (e.g. our income) to the poor; we should not take something that doesn’t belong to us; we should pay our debts on time; we should love, not hate others; we shouldn’t gossip about or embarrass them; we should be honest in our business dealings & should give special respect to Torah scholars.
But there are other things we also must do to be "holy," things that don’t necessarily involve other people. We can’t make an idol for ourselves; we can’t cross-breed certain animals or plants; we have to let our trees go untouched for 3 years; we can’t eat or drink like a glutton or a guzzler; we can’t use a razor to cut certain parts of our beard or have a tattoo embedded into our skin.
So it seems like holiness – or "whole-iness," you might call it - is an overall state of being, a 24/7 state of being, whereby both our bodies as well as our souls are fully committed to a spiritually-directed way of life.
But I want to add another crucial aspect of holiness, one stated by the Ramban, Nachmanides. Quoting the Gemara in Yevamot 20, "Be kadosh in what is permitted to you," he says that Kedusha is reflected just as much by your behavior vis a vis what is allowed to you as by what is forbidden to you. Yes, you must tell the truth; but must you share that same truth if it causes others discomfort? You are entitled to be wealthy, but must you flaunt your wealth? You know the answer to every question, but can’t you let the other students answer sometimes, too? Holiness, says Ramban, is all about holding back.
The word "Kadosh" is strongly connected to the word, "Hekdesh." Hekdesh refers to that which was set aside in the Bet HaMikdash & exclusively designated to be used only in the service of Hashem. Isn’t this the essence of a Jew? Weren’t we, also, "set aside" by G-d & commanded to conduct ourselves in a uniquely moral & spiritual way, so that we could be an example to the whole world?
"Be Holy!" A very short statement - but a very tall order!
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)
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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
