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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Yitro
Moshe’s court had an extreme backlog, and a positive judicial revolution was needed. After deliberations between Moshe and Yitro, agreement was reached, and Hashem gave His approval. Those primary principles form the basis of judicial Halacha to this day.
Yitro was troubled when he saw people lining up to speak to Moshe from day to night. He argued that this would tire out both the nation and Moshe and would eventually become totally untenable (Shemot 18:13-18).
Yitro also made recommendations as to criteria for being a judge: industrious men (who are strong and unafraid of people), those who fear Hashem, men of truth (and only truth), and those who hate bribery (and are not attracted to money) (ibid. 21-22). They put together a committee to vet candidates. With the correct number of such people, broken up into jurisdictions of different sizes (judges for thousands, judges for hundreds, judges for fifties, judges for tens), the workload on Moshe would be lightened.
After accepting the recommendations, Bnei Yisrael were unable to find enough people who fit all of the qualifications. This is hinted at by the pasuk (ibid. 25), and confirmed by Chazal (Midrash Aggada, Shemot 18:25). When a project deserves very ambitious standards, even if these cannot be fully met, it is still critical to aim for the highest.
In the Halachic Midrash, we find an important guideline for the mutual relationship between the nation and its judges. "[Moshe] appointed judges and commanded them to put up with the difficulties imposed on them by the populace … and commanded the nation to treat the judges with respect" (Mechilta D’Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai 18:25).
There are two further points upon which we wish to concentrate. 1. Moshe and Yitro discussed different categories of cases that would come before the judges: "big (gadol) matters," "small (katan) matters," and "difficult (kasheh) matters." What is the difference between these categories? 2. How did the courts of different levels, from the judges of tens all the way up to Moshe, operate? How does it compare to today’s court levels all the way up to the Supreme Court? Understanding these matters will help us understand how a proper judicial system should work, and we will take that up next week.
This is the time [again, written a year ago] to warn the nation. The State of Israel, and by implication, the entire Jewish nation, is at a crucial period of time in many ways. Extremism in the public discourse and the great divide within sections of the nation, which finds expression in harsh language, is bubbling in the streets and media, and it has destabilized the basis for joint existence. This is the time to take responsibility and seek out common ground. While we continue to strive for perfection, we must not do it at the price of irreparable social fracture.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.