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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ekev
My Bar Mitzva parsha was scheduled to be parshat Pinchas. But, sadly, my Zayde passed away & my mother was in her 11th month of aveilut when I turned 13 & so our rav, David Lieberman zt"l (who would later become chief rabbi of Antwerp) advised the family to wait a month, so that festivities then could be held with no restrictions. As a result, I was Bar-Mitzvahed (yes, it's also a verb) on parshat Ekev, known widely as Parshat Eretz Yisrael. It was an early sign that I would have the z'chut to live in Israel, the only member of my immediate family to do so.
This Sedra is the key to understanding, appreciating & surviving the challenge of Aliya. A few insights:
"œV'Zacharta et kal ha-derech;" you shall remember all the road. Hashem laid out a path for us: It began in Gan Eden - which by tradition is in Israel - & the 1st command given to the first Jew, Avraham, was to pick up & move here. Though we would stray from that road numerous times, there was always only one final destination. So, it's crucial to keep your eye on the road!
It is an "œEretz Tova," a good land. But can a land be "œgood?!" No land can – except the Land of Israel. It has a life of its own; it "œbehaves" when we treat it well & perform Mitzvot upon it, but it reacts harshly when we dishonor it with our poor behavior or sinful conduct. It has both œbika'a & har, valleys & mountains: here we may, unfortunately, experience war & terror, the lowest of lows, but we also will celebrate the highest highs as well.
"œLo techsar kol ba," you will lack for nothing. Israel, as small as it may be, has a bit of everything: sun, sea, sand, even snow. The pasuk highlights the plentiful bounty of the earth, including fruits & vegetables, iron & copper, & we can now add natural gas, even oil to the list. It's a question of our ability to appreciate all that we have here, and not always look over our "global shoulder."
But all this comes with a caveat: "œLo b'miskanut tochal ba lechem," do not eat your daily bread like a œ"miskayn," with gripes, complaints & negativity. Learn to appreciate the miracle right before our "eyes; just note the nations that surround us on all sides & envy all that we have built & how amazingly well we live.
"œV'achalta v'savata," go, eat, be satisfied with what you have, & then there is only one thing left to do: "œU'varachta et Hashem Elokecha al ha-aretz ha-tova asher natan lach," bless Hashem for this amazing land that G-d gave us.
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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)
