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Beit Midrash
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By tradition, Og lived for a very long time. The Medrash says he survived the Great Flood by hanging on to the Teyva, & that happened 10 generations before Avraham was born & another 400 years before Moshe was born! Og was the last survivor of an extinct race of antediluvian giants, & his stature & power was legendary.
The Torah describes the size of his immense brass bed (9 X 4 amot; an amah being 1.5 feet) in order to show how big Og was, & the Medrash says (perhaps fancifully) that Moshe jumped 10 amot in the air, stretched out a 10-amah spear & stabbed Og in the ankle!
Og’s survival & longevity may derive from the fact that by tradition, he was the one who reported to Avraham that his nephew Lot had been taken captive. While Chazal say Og hoped Avraham would be killed in battle, leaving the beautiful Sara free for Og to marry, this shows that even a chesed done for the wrong reasons is rewarded.
But it’s fair to ask, "what is all this hyperbole about?" Do we really care how huge Og was? It almost sounds like the Torah is entering "fairy-tale" territory with this whimsical "tall-tale" (pun intended). Since we know the Torah never wastes words, there must be something much deeper & relevant for the ages to transmit to us.
I suggest Moshe is not bragging about his own physical prowess, though it was indeed impressive. Moshe is reminding us that no entity on earth, no matter how powerful it may appear, can vanquish us – if Hashem is at our side. Giant empires & empires of giants come & go, but we, Israel, remain eternal. Our primary task is to incur the love & support of Hashem, & then we will overcome these seemingly-invincible enemies.
A favorite Twilight Zone episode has a malevolent giant from another planet ravaging a town, until a young boy (David?) takes out his slingshot & hits him with a rock. Suddenly, there is a strong wind as the giant’s costume deflates, leaving a tiny little alien who runs away in fear.
As we approach Tisha B’Av, we recall the mighty nations of Babylonia & Rome that warred against us & destroyed Yerushalayim & the Bet HaMikdash. But Chazal (Gittin 53) tell us that they had no real power of their own. They were merely "grinding already-ground flour." It was our actions that determine our fate, not theirs. That which led to our disaster, you see, is also the key to our deliverance.
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)
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.
