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The liturgy for Yamim Noraim contains a lot about how lowly man is, which seems at odds with the potential for greatness, which we celebrate at this time. We say that Rosh Hashana is the time when Hashem is our light, and Yom Kippur is the time when He is our salvation (Vayikra Rabba 21:4, based on Tehillim 27:1). The former relates to the creation of the world and the latter to Hashem’s forgiveness for the sin of the Golden Calf, represented by the giving of the second Tablets.
When Adam sinned, the light of Hashem disappeared, being replaced by "knowledge of good and bad." The sin included not just a momentary loss to the evil inclination but the creation of a philosophy that his sin was justified. This is what the gemara (Sanhedrin 38b) describes as Adam being one who denied basic religious beliefs and one who pulled on his foreskin to hide the fact that he was circumcised (including, spiritually circumcised). Adam explained the interest in fulfilling desires as a fact to accept and not a lack of perfection that one needs to try to overcome in reaching shleimut (spiritual completeness).
Judaism looks at matters very differently. Mila represents for us that we need to try to rein in the impurity with which we were born. Tehillim 92 says that evil will grow like grass, in order for it to be destroyed (ibid. 8).
Sin brought a positive result. Kayin’s sin (fratricide) was so severe that he could not justify it. Kayin recognized his sin and repented, which revealed two things about the world: sin is not natural; sin can awaken one, which Kayin had not previously realized. It was his task to improve himself. When he taught this to Adam, Adam called out "Mizmor shir l’yom HaShabbat," which declares the shleimut of the world after our efforts are successful.
Kayin was only able to "compromise" with Hashem and not totally erase the sin. The idea is that as long as man can justify his sin, he will not repent. The motivation to repent comes from seeing the light of Hashem represented by Rosh Hashana, as explained in Tehillim 92, the song of Shabbat, the song of shleimut in the created world.
In the sin of the Golden Calf, the people felt the need to explain why they could prefer the image of a calf to Moshe. Moshe had to show them that their attitude could not continue, and he therefore broke the tablets. When the nation fully repented, they were ready for a new set of tablets, which they received on Yom Kippur. That is the salvation of Yom Kippur. When during these days it is necessary to speak about man’s lacking, it is not in order to cause us resignation, but to make us realize we have a job – to not accept our weaknesses but strive towards shleimut, as Adam learned from Kayin.
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
P'ninat Mishpat Who Breached the Contract? – part IV
Based on ruling 81087 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Igrot Hare’aya Semi-solicited Advice to Calm Down Petach Tikva
#227 Date and Place: 8 Tishrei 5669, Yafo
P'ninat Mishpat Limits of Interest Rate for Loan with Heter Iska – part I
based on ruling 80033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Igrot Hare’aya Trying to Arrange Purchase of Land in Eretz Yisrael
#222 Date and Place: 2 Elul 5669 (1909), Rechovot
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)
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
