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Usually we think of malchut as dominion, which requires someone to dominate. Is that a value, though? Also, if all are fit for malchut, who can they rule over? Answering that dominion will be over other nations does not fit with the messianic vision of cooperation among the nations in the service of Hashem!
Rather, malchut is a lofty characteristic of the spirit, which does not require anyone to subjugate. What is it, though, and what does the opposite term of avdut (servitude) mean?
Avraham had an eved named Eliezer. Eliezer wanted Yitzchak to marry his daughter, but Avraham told him that "one who is cursed cannot cling to one who is blessed" (Bereishit Rabba 59). If the curse was that she was from a family of slaves, then Avraham could have solved the problem by freeing them! The curse started with C’na’an, who was cursed and decreed to be a slave to his brothers (see Bereishit 9:25). The order is that C’na’an was cursed, and as a result was decreed to be a slave, not vice versa. Servitude, it seems, is also not dependent on having a master over him; it is a lowly state of spirit. Usually this standing invites one to "acquire" a master for himself.
Before fine-tuning the characteristics of malchut and avdut, let us take another look at Eliezer. The midrash (ibid.) complains that Eliezer was deceitful in scheming to have Yitzchak marry his daughter instead of carrying out his mission the way Avraham envisioned. This approach is surprising considering the great regard Chazal had for him (see Bereishit Rabba 59-60; Yoma 25b), including the fact that some people confused him with Avraham!
We actually find that, eventually, Eliezer was referred to as the "blessed of Hashem," by Rivka’s family as he initiated the attempt to make Rivka Yitzchak’s wife. The midrash (ibid. 60) says that when he had served his master faithfully, he left the status of the cursed for the blessed. Thus, as long as he was harboring thoughts of arranging things for his personal favor, instead of for Avraham/Yitzchak’s well-being, he was, despite all his positive, included in the cursed. Indeed, the eved is the one who is ruled by the desire to put the stress on himself.
Avraham epitomized putting others first. He ignored pain to prepare a serious feast for three individuals he did not know and whom he assumed were idol worshippers. This gave him the status of malchut, who is one who is missing nothing (Sanhedrin 7b). That is why his neighbors referred to him as a king and a prince (Bereishit 23:6).
Our nation attained the proclivity to want to give more than to receive through the subjugation of slavery and exile in Egypt. It is this that we celebrate at the Seder and by dedicating our lives to following Hashem’s laws and precepts. That is a type of malchut that does not require having anyone beneath us, but to elevate ourselves to a level at which we imitate our Maker.
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)
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Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
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The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
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(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
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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
