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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ha'azinu
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Yaakov Ben Behora
Commentaries note the uncommon use of the word rek, describing the value of the Torah. Rashi points out that the Torah offers great reward for those who apply themselves to it. The Me’am Loez brings a related explanation. One must take proper care in fulfilling the Torah because the fact that one gets reward for it increases his obligation to adhere to it. He makes reference to the halachot of watchmen. One who watches something for free must pay for its disappearance only if he was negligent in watching it. However, a paid watchman must pay even if it was stolen or lost without negligence.
Extending this distinction further, we note the halacha in Bava Kamma 99b. If one is entrusted to slaughter an animal and does so incorrectly, he has to pay for making it unkosher if he was not fully trained to perform the slaughter. An expert need not have expected that the mishap would occur and is exempt. However, if he was paid for his services, even the expert is responsible.
Some Jews are more prepared than others for the responsibilities the Torah places upon us. However, as we receive ample reward for our proper fulfillment, we are liable for the avoidable mistakes we make. Our concentration on the preparations to fulfill our task (the study of Torah) is valuable. Firstly, it increases the percentage of proper fulfillment over mistakes in our service of Hashem, which brings us significant award. Secondly, we are rewarded for the study itself, which is one of the greatest mitzvot. However, study is not an excuse that removes responsibility for mistakes that we make along the way. Punishment can be erased only through the special gifts of teshuva (repentance) and kaparah (atonement), which reach their peaks in the yearly cycle during the coming days.
Let us take this concept in its positive light to explain a well-known Talmudic statement. "Greater is [the reward of] he who is commanded and fulfills than one who is not commanded and fulfills" (Kiddushin 31a). Many explain that the evil inclination of he who is commanded raises the level of difficulty and brings more reward to he who succeeds. If we take the Me’am Lo’ez, in its converse, we can suggest the following. Since the fact that we are obligated makes us liable to be punished for not fulfilling, we are compensated by the fact that our fulfillment brings greater reward.
May all of us individually and collectively succeed in fulfilling our obligations and obtaining full atonement.
Rabbis in Midrash
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The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
