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Beit Midrash
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concept of Niddah. When a woman begins to
menstruate & cannot conceive, she enters the
Niddah state and separates from her husband for a
period of 7 days (biblically, that is;
the Rabbis tacked on 5 more days for a total of 12 days).
These 7 days connect to the 7 days of mourning.
In both cases, death is present: actual death for
the mourner; potential death for the woman who
did not conceive. When we confront death, we
temporarily move away from pleasure – such as
relations with our spouse - in order to
contemplate life, loss, G-d & our role in the universe.
Both the state of mourning (aveilut) & that of
niddah are what the Torah calls Tumah: a
progression away from life - real or possible -
and a somber reaction to demise. Man is meant to
create - just as G-d is the ultimate Creator - &
when life is destroyed, rather than created, we mourn.
Yet after the obligatory mourning period comes
renewal, hope & joy. The waters of the Mikva
purify us; water is the ultimate symbol & source
of growth & new life. The very fact that we
grapple with loss inspires us to appreciate life
even more, & pursue it with greater zeal.
7 days can also connect to 7 weeks. The 7 weeks
from Pesach to Shavuot represent a progression
from the death, degradation & impurity of
Egyptian slavery to the life & pleasure of the
Torah, which is always symbolized by water - mayim chaim - Torat chaim.
The trauma of war confronts us on a daily basis.
Like aveilut, this must give us pause as we ask
the deepest questions: Why do we suffer? For what
cause do we die & more importantly, for what
cause do we live? What can I create & build that
will be a pure & lasting source of life?
The most potent tumah/impurity is that of a
corpse, in Hebrew a chalal, or empty space. That
which once held a precious soul/neshama, & is now
empty of that neshama, is supremely impure.
Challal is also connected to the word chillul -
desecration, as in chillul Hashem, the profaning
of G-d’s name. A person - or a nation! – that
lacks a neshama sullies G-d’s name. Whenever Jews
die at the hands of an enemy that, too, is a
chillul Hashem. We must all stand in awe of our
holy, pure soldiers, for they guard us from death
& bring us life. They are, literally, a Kiddush
Hashem & it is to them that we should raise our
glasses & drink l’Chayim. Let us honor them by
keeping them in mind each time we make Kiddush, &
by this simple act remember these brave men &
women who are truly the "Kiddush of Hashem."
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?
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
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
