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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
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Yet the reaction to these two incidents is radically different. After the Egel HaZahav, there was a strong reproach from Hashem & some bloodletting, but then we moved on. Yet in the wake of the Meraglim, an entire generation of 600,000 souls would die out & our entrance into Israel would be delayed by 40 years of wandering!
Why the huge discrepancy between the two incidents?
One suggestion is that the sin of the Calf was an error in faith - we thought we needed a go-between in order to reach Hashem - while the Spies episode was essentially a failure of morals & Midot, primarily our lack of self-confidence. And while you can teach people the basics of faith & religion in relatively short order (just witness the rapid metamorphosis of ba’alei teshuva!), changing the personality traits of a nation was a monumental task & would take much, much longer.
But there is another fundamental difference between the Egel & the Meraglim. In the case of the Egel HaZahav, who were the primary perpetrators? The general public, the rank-and-file, the "man in the street" (note that the women heroically did not take part!) They were the ones that agitated for & built the Calf; Moshe was busy up on the Mount & Ahron couldn't stop them.
Yet who perpetrated the sin of the Spies? The Princes, the leaders, the creme-de-la-creme of each & every Shevet! These were men chosen to be our heroes & role models, yet they turned into spineless wimps with neither the spirit nor the strength to do the job. Somewhere down the line, they lost their nerve, their faith, their sense of historical purpose. And they failed us.
While G-d can forgive the average person for sometimes failing to live up to all of his or her potential, leaders are special & they are judged by infinitely higher standards. The nation depends upon them, & they dare not lose their will. For if they fall, then many will fall with them, & so the penalty for their failure will be very severe.
If you lack that inner courage, if you can't take the heat, better not to become a leader - & certainly not to stay in that position when you do waver.
Good advice - then and now.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
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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
