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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Va'etchanan
"Now, Israel, listen to the statutes and laws that I am teaching you to do so that you will live and come to and acquire the Land that Hashem is giving you" (Devarim 4:1). Toward the perek’s end (ibid. 40), it says: "You shall guard the statutes and laws I am commanding you today so that it will be good for you and your sons after you, and so that your days will be long on the Land Hashem is giving you all of the days."
These p’sukim teach us the formula of life and arichut yamim (lit., long days). Towards the beginning of this section, Moshe demonstrated what shortens life and what enables eternal life. "… for every man who followed Ba’al Pe’or, Hashem destroyed him from your midst" (ibid. 3). This means that when life follows only the material side, certainly in its lowest form, with illicit relations with the daughters of Moav and following their idols, their lives were greatly shortened (see Bamidbar 25:1-3). In contrast, the next pasuk in Devarim 4 says: "You are those who cling to Hashem; you are all living today."
Part of Moshe’s words focus on distancing people from anthropomorphism (attributing human physical traits to Hashem). The problem is not in limiting Hashem’s specialness. It comes to teach something else – Hashem is not part of the material world and His revelation to the nation at Sinai was in many ways a one-time event. Our conclusion should be to not relate anything physical to Hashem, who is the source of life. The only way to merit life is to connect oneself to Him, which requires following His attributes and being involved in Torah, both in study and in actions. When acting as the Torah prescribes, our use of the material world is not involvement in it but in the spiritual world, for which the material is an instrument.
Moshe also pointed out (ibid. 8-15) that Bnei Yisrael’s distinction as a great nation is due to the correct laws we follow, which teach us to fear Hashem as we live in the Land. We heard Hashem but did not see Him. Finally we should "be very careful for our souls, for we did not see any picture on the day Hashem spoke to us at Horeb from amidst the fire." This is not to protect Hashem but to teach us that realizing the limitations of the material world enables long life, in this world and the world to come.
The Rabbis took this last pasuk out of its simple context, teaching: we must protect our physical lives from danger (see Levush, Yoreh Deah 116:1). Then Moshe warned that following false gods will shorten our lives in the Land (Devarim 4:25-27). Even if Bnei Yisrael must undergo the national tragedy of exile, Hashem will uphold his covenant with them (ibid. 28-30).
Nationally, the physical world can be appropriate if it is in Eretz Yisrael, the holiest land. There we can be an eternal nation because the Torah finds ideal expression to the connection to spiritual world. At the end of the sefer, Moshe Rabbeinu promised a process of repentance and liberation at the end of days. That will ensure a return to Eretz Yisrael and, afterward, full repentance.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
