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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
The day of Shabbat, the day of rest and sanctity that Hashem gave to His nation and not to other nations (from Shabbat Tefilla), provides an answer. What does it mean that Hashem "gave us" Shabbat? Can’t others keep Shabbat of their own accord?
Chazal say that the world, after Creation, was missing only rest, which Shabbat provided (see Rashi, Bereishit 2:2). What does it mean missing rest when rest is just the lack of work?
Hashem commanded us to make Shabbat a symbol of our special relationship with Him. It shows our understanding that the six days of work, and success during those days, come from Hashem. Our goal cannot be the pattern of eating in order to live and living to eat, or involvement in a never-ending struggle to get ahead of others.
In our modern world, the need for rest from the lightning pace of life is especially poignant. Long ago, people traveled by foot; then mankind learned to ride horses; then came trains, followed by cars and even planes. In the future, maybe rockets will replace planes. We need to improve rest because otherwise pursuit of our desires will just spawn additional pursuit, creating an atmosphere of lack of serenity.
This is especially felt these days, during strikes to improve salaries and benefits. They are not necessarily wrong, and some of their claims are correct. What bothers me is that if the strikers are right, why does it take a strike to convince the authorities, and if they are wrong, why is everyone able to agitate society to get what they do not deserve?
Shabbat is not a day of rest [in the term’s standard usage] but a day to create a spiritual link to enrich the days of the week. It is not a day of asceticism but of raising this world to the level of the World to Come. We eat three meals, for which we are urged to prepare before Shabbat. This hints that Shabbat teaches us that we live in a world of preparation, not one of picking the fruit of our labors.
Shabbat also prepares us for Parashat Shekalim. Religious moshavim have the same physical set-up as non-religious moshavim and the same headaches. Physical elements cannot just be a tack-on to the community’s shul. We need a revolution, whereby our shekel turns into a holy shekel, just as Shabbat infuses the week with sanctity. That is the way to add sanctity to the Mikdash. If everything is devoid of sanctity, the Beit Hamikdash will simply and regrettably be camouflage (see Yirmiyahu 7:9).
Moshe gave the mitzva of Shabbat in an assembly – the masses are good for Shabbat. Some people daven vatikin on Shabbat, because the cholent is better early. Some come late to shul because they do not want to spend too much time there, but prefer reading newspapers. That is not a "Jewish Shabbat." It lacks rest and sanctity and does not prepare for the Beit Hamikdash.
Hashem had to show Moshe a shekel of fire (Rashi, Shemot 30:13). A person needs to avoid putting it in his hand or his pocket where it will burn what it touches. Rather, it should be an impetus for positive action.
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
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
