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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
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In Vayeishev, Tamar demanded of Yehuda to give an eiravon (collateral), his staff and signet, to get what he asked her for (Bereishit 38:17-20). Tamar used these identifiers of Yehuda to make him confront the truth. She used the phrase "haker na" (recognize this), which the brothers had used when presenting Yosef’s blood-stained cloak to Yaakov, and thereby facilitated Yehuda’s teshuva. Through Yehuda’s admission of responsibility, he merited to have Tamar’s babies, including Peretz, father of David and Mashiach. The Torah writes about the promise of Yehuda’s leadership, "Your brothers will admit (=cede leadership) to you" (see ibid. 49:8-9).
Yehuda continued to use the concept of arvut to further his leadership in Miketz and Vayigash. As the famine worsened and Yehuda tried to convince his father to send Binyamin with his brothers to Egypt, as the disguised Yosef had decreed, Yehuda said "Anochi e’ervenu" (I will be your guarantor) [for Binyamin’s safety] (ibid. 43:9).
In this week’s parasha, Yehuda used the account of his guaranteeing Binyamin’s welfare in his attempt to convince Yosef to free Binyamin (ibid. 44:32). At that time, Yehuda let the whole family know that the building of Klal Yisrael requires mutual responsibility from one Jew to another. This signals an about-face from the path the brothers took by selling Yosef as a slave. Yehuda’s full repentance ensured that there could be a unified leadership in the developing nation. The leadership must internalize that its task is to strengthen this mutual responsibility and avoid disunity. This entails Yehuda working in partnership with Yosef (see our last two articles).
If we are correct, we can uncover another related example of arvut. As David’s father, Yishai, sent him to what turned out to be his encounter with Goliat, Yishai told him to inquire about his brothers’ welfare and take "aruvatam" (Shmuel I, 17:17-18). In requesting this visit to the front, Yishai used the language Yaakov used to ask Yosef to visit his brothers and that his ancestor Yehuda used in showing his correct approach to his brothers. The midrash (Tanchuma, Vayigash 8) indeed says that Yishai told David that the time had come to use the guarantor status that Yehuda had adopted. The midrash continues that David took ultimate responsibility by challenging and killing Goliat. The midrash posits that since David did this to remove disgrace from the kingdom of Shaul, who came from the tribe of Binyamin, who Yehuda guaranteed and was willing to switch in Egyptian jail, David was given the Beit Hamikdash that was on the border of Yehuda and Binyamin. David, like his ancestor Yehuda, received the throne because he used Yehuda’s affinity toward arvut.
For us, we must remember that mutual responsibility is the way forward to the days in which Yehuda will reclaim its days of glory as the "lion" within the nation (see Bereishit 49:8-11). Those who do so deserve to see the return of Hashem to Zion and the rebuilding of Jerusalem as in days of old.
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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.
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The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
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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)
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)
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
