YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- The Four Parshiyot
- Hachodesh
commemorate Nisan as our first month. Included in
this reading are the instructions that were given
to Bnei Yisrael to prepare for Pesach. They were
told to select a lamb & safeguard it ("V’haya
lachem l’mishmeret") for 4 days, until it would
be slaughtered on 14 Nisan, with some of its
blood placed on the doorposts, & then eaten
together with Matza & Maror in an elaborate feast.
Rashi asks why it was necessary for the lamb to
be held for 4 full days! One approach: This was
an "in-your-face" act of faith, as we boldly took
the Egyptian god & openly slaughtered it, without
fear of the Egyptians. It took a bit of time to
gather up our courage to actually do this.
Rashi also quotes the navi Yechezkel: "I (G-d)
passed over you. I saw that this was a time of
loving; yet you were bare & naked." Hashem wanted
to liberate us, but we lacked the Mitzvot that
would give us sufficient merit. And so He gave us
two "bloody" commandments: the blood of Brit Mila
& the blood of the Korban Pesach. With these
"bloods" to our credit, we merited redemption.
Over the last half-year (if not the last many
years!) Israel & the Jewish People have been
confronted with fearsome challenges that test our
Emuna. Hardly a day goes by that we do not read
about, personally witness or experience a
tragedy. Indeed, as I write this, I have just
returned from the funeral of Sgt. Sivan Weil HY"D
of Ra’anana, who fell in battle this week in Gaza.
Through all these months, we have shown amazing
bravery & steadfastness. Though there is much
blood - our blood – upon many of our door-posts,
we do not capitulate or collapse; we go forward.
Though our meals may at times be accompanied by
"poor bread" or bitter herbs, yet we do not, we cannot despair.
I suggest that we, at this moment, are within
those very "four days of safeguarding." We are
stockpiling Mitzvot in huge amounts, performing
untold acts of Chesed, giving generously to good
causes, volunteering & praying for our holy
soldiers. We are maintaining our morality, our
dignity & our perseverance in the face of an
immoral, perverse world that turns everything upside-down.
But the moment of deliverance awaits us; the
banquet is coming, its aroma already fills the
air like that lamb-roast of old. Soon will be
fulfilled the pasuk from Zecharya: "By virtue of
the blood of your covenant I freed you from the
pit." Our destiny will not be denied; we have
paid dearly for it. And so, as we declare at
every Brit: "B’damayich chayi’i;" in our bloods we shall live. Eternally.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
Igrot Hare’aya Excitement over a Friend’s New Newspaper – #319
Date and Place: 4 Menachem Av 5670 (1910), Rechovot
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
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)
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: 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)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
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
