Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayishlach
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Rachel Bat Asher
In his commentary "Divrei David," Rabbi David ben Shmuel Halevi (author of the Turei Zahav on the Shulchan Arukh) suggests that the verb "shamarti," which we normally translate as "I observed," should be understood here to mean "I protected" or "I guarded." By studying the parts of Torah that were not applicable in his situation, Ya’akov protected these laws from being forgotten. Ya’akov felt their lack in his life and yearned to fulfill them. He wasn’t content with the abridged Torah that could be implementd in Galut. Instead, he delved into the laws that would take effect when he returned home. In so doing, he reminded himself that he was only living outside of Eretz Israel temporarily (the use of the word "garti" implies something temporary).
What Rashi is saying to us is that we too must realize that a Torah observant life ourside of Israel is incomplete. While in exile, we have to keep the mitzvot that can’t be observed in Galut in our consciousness so that they will give us the impetus to come home and implement them. May we all have the merit to participate in the building of the Bet Hamikdash and the activation of all of our Torah.
--------------------------
This is a weekly column contributed by Aloh Naaleh an organization devoted to motivating Jews to make Aliya.
Aloh Na'aleh POB 4337, Jerusalem 91042
Tel: 972-2-566-1181 ext. 320 ~ Fax: 972-2-566-1186
Email: [email protected]
Yaakov's Fear
Parashat Vayishlach
Rabbi Eliezer Langer | Cheshvan, 5763
Whose Pronunciation Should the Oleh Use?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | 11 Shvat 5784
Guarding the Honor of Israel
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed | Kislev 15 5783
