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Beit Midrash
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Those who don't understand how the entire country is united together in our war against Hamas, is really missing out on a unique experience of Achdut! When Edan Amedi, the super-popular singer and international TV star of "Fauda", first delivered pep-talks in uniform at the beginning of the war from the front, and afterwards was seriously wounded (BH he's better!), I said to my wife, "אשרינו מה טוב חלקנו", how fortunate we are to live in a country with more Jewish and less western self-centered values.
As most countries prepare for the upcoming Summer Olympics, it's worth remembering that 6 of the 13 Israeli medals have been in judo, almost all of them connected with Oren Smadja, the national coach of that field. I can't imagine in western countries having such a VIP, not using his "pull" to get his son out of a dangerous combat unit, if not totally out of the military. Today Smadja will don a kipa, and say kaddish for his son, in the presence of many national super-stars, because that's what is preoccupying Israel at this time. Priorities.
Our very name "Yisrael" is because "we have wrestled (sarita) with angels and man and have succeeded" (Breishit 32, 29). Rav Kook praised the sports that the youth of Israel do (Orot HaTchiya, 34), not so much to win gold in the Olympics, but because in Galut, we forgot that "just as we have holy souls, we also have holy bodies" (ibid, 33)! Just as in Tanachic times (Orot haMilchama, 2), we once again need to develop our muscles to be "healthy souls in healthy bodies" (Orot HaTeshuva 5, 1), showing the unity/monotheism of creation/Creator, but even more so, to enable fulfilling the ideal of altruism, imitating the Creator (who didn’t need to make this world for Himself, Tanchuma Kedoshim, 8), in "freeing the Jews from bondage", even at the ultimate altruistic sacrifice.
Just as it's the religious-Zionists who lead the charge in Gaza, it's also no surprise that we have by far the highest rate in the world of life-giving (!) altruistic kidney donors to strangers, overcoming instinctive & animalistic self-centeredness to be that much more Godly and altruistic. Ashreichem "Yisrael"!
In having to comfort so many students who lost their husbands and sons over the past 8 months, not even once did I hear even one word of remorse or regret for having made aliya or educating our youth to be altruistic for the sake of Am Yisrael. To the contrary, I hear words of idealism, encouragement and love of children and nation, clarifying where this unbelievable youth grew up. Yes, war is painful, but I truly feel sorry for the Haredim as well as my friends who didn't make aliya, and are missing out on being "Yisrael" in this most serious of our eternal wrestling matches with our enemies, missing out on this beautiful period of solidarity and idealism, of really being Jewish.
Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.
The Giving of the Torah When Should We Use Facts, Logic or Kabbala in Learning Torah?
Ein Aya Shabbat 4 7
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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)
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.
