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Beit Midrash
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- Shmot
- Mishpatim
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- The Land of Israel
- Army and War
shows Judaism’s "sensitive side." 53 diverse
Mitzvot instruct us as to how we must be
responsive to the needs of the poor, the widow,
the orphan, the disenfranchised, the indentured
slave; even members of the animal kingdom.
But the Sedra’s closing section seems at first
reading to be something completely different. It
contains several mysterious episodes: First, G-d
says, "I am sending an Angel to protect you;
respect him, for My name is in him."
Then Moshe sends the youth of Israel to bring
offerings; the blood of their sacrifice is
sprinkled over the people as Moshe declares,
"With this blood, the covenant is now sealed between you & Hashem."
Finally, Moshe, Ahron & the elders see a vision
of G-d: "Under His feet was a sapphire brick,
whose essence was as pure & bright as Heaven." What does it all mean?
To me, the message is as clear as day; do you not
see it? Who are the Angels among us? Who are the
youth of Israel who protect us, who embody the
finest attributes of Hashem – Midot such as
courage & Mesirat Nefesh - whose blood is sprinkled on the nation at large?
These can be no other than the proud young men &
women who wear the uniform of the Israel Defense
Forces, who selflessly place their lives on the
line every day to defend Am Yisrael. G-d’s name
is in each of these children, & it is in their
merit, I am absolutely convinced, that we
continue to frustrate the evil designs of
millions of enemies who would destroy us. In
their z’chut the Yeshivot may flourish, the
tourists may visit, the land may bloom. These
angels in green, these green kids who traded
their school bags for M-16s, are a source of
great pride in Klal Yisrael and in this generation.
Chazal comment that the sparkling blue brick
under Hashem’s throne was there to remind Him of
the pain & suffering we endured in Egypt, when
the cruel Egyptians would place Jewish babies in
the wall when their parents’ quota of bricks was
not fulfilled. Each time G-d started to lose
patience with Bnei Yisrael, He would take out
that brick. Remembering our great self-sacrifice,
His attribute of Mercy would take hold & He would forgive us.
So the end of the Parsha, you see, isn’t really
so different in essence from the 53
Mitzvot enumerated earlier. It continues the
same theme: Be sensitive & appreciative of those
who serve us & risk their lives for us, such as
the heroic Chayalim in Gaza and throughout. They
and those like them are the Heavenly bricks from
which this great nation is built.
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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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)
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.
