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Beit Midrash
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- Mishpatim
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We don't like to decide; when there is a dilemma in a particular situation, we tend to stay in doubt. Doubt gives the illusion that it is possible to have your cake and eat it too; to seemingly gain the benefits of both sides. Progressive culture has glorified skepticism. Since there is no God, there is also no truth, and in any event, pluralism was invented – everyone, no matter who, is right, and "the Nazis also have their narrative".
Ideological skepticism has created a psychological inability to decisively make a decision in any area – starting from choosing a life path to defeating Hamas – and ending up losing both ways.
The Torah portion of Mishpatim forces all of us to be decisive and determined judges; judges are referred to in the Torah as "Elohim," like God, who advances the world by deciding the truth, so too "any judge who judges a true judgment truthfully, the verse ascribes to him as if he became a partner to the Holy One, Blessed be He, in the act of Creation " [Shabbat 10a].
These days, the people of Israel are in decisive moments in a complex situation – should we be afraid to finish off the fighting in Gaza in different ways or decisively demand victory? Each and every one of us must raise our voices at demonstrations and on social media so that decisiveness will lead to absolute victory. Amazingly, it will turn out that the decision for the most correct side will also gain the advantages of the other side of the dilemma – a victory in the war will also lead to the release of the hostages; the elimination of Hamas will also bring peace.
Shabbat Shalom!
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Shiur on Parashat Mishpatim in Hebrew--> https://youtu.be/LHRkGdg7f1I
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Lessons
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Moreshet Shaul Hashem Is your Shadow – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 420 – an address from 1941
P'ninat Mishpat A Non-Contractor in Changing Times – part I
(based on ruling 85128 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Moreshet Shaul Our King on Rosh Hashana, Our Father on Yom Kippur.
Based on Aroch Siach, p. 221 (Rav Shaul Yisraeli)
P'ninat Mishpat A Non-Contractor in Changing Times – part II
(based on ruling 85128 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Moreshet Shaul Hashem Is your Shadow – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 420 – an address from 1941
Parashat Hashavua Happiness for the Right Reasons
[With painful longing, we share these divrei Torah from our co-Rosh Kollel for close to 40 years, Harav Moshe Ehrenreich zt”l.]
Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
