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Tzippora Bat David
If we take a look at the chain of events around the marriage of Yitzchak and Rivka, we will see that major family matters were taking place. The next event mentioned after the aforementioned pasuk was that Avraham married a woman named Ketura (traditionally understood to have been Hagar). In fact, Chazal tell us that as Eliezer was bringing Rivka, Yitzchak had gone to get Hagar for Avraham. What was the significance of the timing here? While it is possible that it was an emotional issue, that Yitzchak felt bad if he would get married while his father was widowed, there is likely a more spiritual element to the matter as well.
Sarah’s death had caused a void in the critical role of matriarch, necessary for the holy family to function as the promoters of Hashem’s Name in the world. Hagar could be a companion for Avraham, but she could not be a matriarch. Apparently, there was a makeshift partnership of sorts between Avraham and Yitzchak, whom he was training in his future role as the next patriarch. One might expect that Avraham would remain the sole patriarch until his death, but, examining the p’sukim, we will see that he disappears from the text, which transfers to the life of Yitzchak’s family while Avraham was still alive. When does this happen? Exactly when Yitzchak married Rivka. Interestingly, the same phenomenon exists when Yaakov marries, as Yitzchak disappears from the Torah as a result. In other words, the patriarch, who is certainly a righteous man in his own right, is the one who is married to the matriarch.
This perhaps gives further meaning to the pasuk that stresses the significance of marriage on the relationship between child and parents. "For a man shall leave his father and mother and cling to his wife" (ibid. 2:24). Not only is there a physical and emotional change in the balance of relationships, but also the presence of the wife enables the son to reach an independence to begin assuming positions of prominence. At some point, sometimes marked by the death of one parent, a parent may look to his child not only as a near equal but even as the new leader.
When Yitzchak knew that his father had decided to arrange a wife for him, he prepared a non-matriarch wife for Avraham. When he married her and learned that indeed she was a not only a wife but a spiritual successor of his mother, he realized that it was time for him to take center stage. This allowed Avraham to subsequently marry Ketura, with the knowledge that he would have to send away the children that he would have after his "patriarchal retirement" (ibid. 25:6).
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)
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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
