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mystical Urim & Tumim ("lights" & "truth") that
were part of the Choshen, the breastplate that
adorned the Kohen. The Urim & Tumim were a
conduit to knowing G-d’s will, lighting up the
letters of the Choshen’s precious gems in order
to answer pressing questions posed through the
Kohen Gadol, such as whether or not to go to war, etc.
Many of us are familiar with the famous story
told by the Vilna Gaon. When Chana came to the
Mishkan praying for a child – apparently a rather
unusual occurrence – Eli the Kohen Gadol
consulted the Urim & Tumim to see if her request
would be granted. The letters Hay, Kaf, Raysh &
Shin lit up, & Eli unscrambled them to form the
word, "Shikra," or drunkard, & so he dismissed Chana.
But when Chana did eventually give birth, Eli
(whose Ruach HaKodesh was apparently flawed)
understood that the letters actually formed the
word, "K’Sheyra," fit to have a child (or better,
I suggest, "K’Sarah," like Sara, who also gave birth at a very advanced age).
The child born to Chana was Shmuel. He would go
on to become the greatest Navi besides Moshe
Rabbeinu. But when Hashem sent Shmuel to anoint a
successor to King Shaul from Yishai’s family,
Shmuel first chose Eliav. Said G-d: "Do not look
at someone’s outer appearance, do not look only
with your eyes; I see into one’s heart." And so
David, Yishai’s youngest son, was chosen as King.
There is a powerful lesson here. All of us,
because we’re human, tend to focus on the
superficial, the outward appearances we see:
one’s age, height, weight, color or style of hair
or the clothes one wears. We may see, but we
comprehend very little about the person in front
of us. The true essence of a person is invisible;
we can’t know their honesty, integrity,
intelligence, courage, charm, insightfulness or
kindness until we actually get to know them
better. And, sadly, we very often misjudge them.
So many of the young people who have gone to war
may have seemed like run-of-the-mill, simple
kids. But the war has revealed just what brave,
selfless, astute super-heroes they actually are.
In effect, Gaza has been a kind of "Urum v’Tumim"
that confirm our younger generation in uniform as
Tzadikim G’murim, the truly righteous who, like
Rabbi Akiva, are prepared to give their all for us.
David had a favorite son, Shlomo, considered the
wisest of all people. But Hashem did not bless
Shlomo only with wisdom; G-d gave him a "lev
chacham v’navon, a wise & understanding heart."
If we learn to see with our heart, as well as
with our eyes, the truth will light up for us as well.
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)
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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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.
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.
