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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Jewish Holidays
- Simchat Torah and Shmini Atzeret
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Hana Bat Haim
Shemini Atzeret marks the last day of the "Yom Tov Season." While it is quite clear why we celebrate Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot, the reason why we celebrate one last holiday is not quite as obvious. Indeed, Rashi seems to indicate that there is no real reason for Shemini Atzeret. Rather, God says, as it were: "Please remain with Me just one more day, for your departure is difficult for Me to endure." The Ramban suggests that the eighth day of Sukkot alludes to the idea that the Jewish people are the partner to the seventh day - Shabbat - and thus it is observed as a holiday.
I would like to share a thought advanced by Rav Ben Tziyon Ferrer in his sefer "Le-Yom Chagenu." Targum Yonatan Ben Uziel in Parashat Pinchas explains the significance of Shmini Atzeret as follows: "On the eighth day you shall gather in joy as you leave your sukka and return to your home." There is certainly much joy when we enter the sukka and bask in the presence of the Shechina, but why should leaving the sukka be cause for celebration? Rav Ferrer explains that the sukkah represents God’s protection as we wandered in the desert for forty years; by living in a temporary dwelling, we reaffirm the fact that God always protects His nation. When were we able to leave the sukka, to build our permanent homes and lives? That occurred when we arrived in Eretz Israel. The joy of Shemini Atzeret is the joy of leaving our temporary dwelling and entering our final destination - the place where we can set up permanent shop together with the Shechina - in the Holy Land.
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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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(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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(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
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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
