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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Chayei Sara
The Torah section begins with the impressive titles for the servant – "the elder of his house" and "who controls everything that [Avraham] had" (ibid. 2). Chazal (including in Yoma 28b) are confident that this is Eliezer, who they call "an elder who sat in the academy." His name comes up in Lech Lecha (15:2), where he is described as "ben meshek of my house" and "of Damasek," which Chazal interpret with the Hebrew words for "draw and give to drink" from the Torah of his master to others. Thus, they connected the accounts written two parshiyot away from one another, and especially the descriptions of him, to claim that they refer to one person.
Chazal also attribute to him the pasuk in Mishlei (13:25), "The righteous eat so that their spirit is satiated." The midrash (Bamidbar 21:20) says that this refers to Eliezer, as he asked Rivka for a little to drink, as the righteous person did not need to ask for more.
We will now look at some principles that Chazal used to explain p’sukim of Tanach such as ours. Seder Olam Rabba taught us that "Scripture does not come to leave things unclear but to elucidate" (ch. 1). Talmud Yerushalmi expresses the idea as follows: "The words of Torah are poor in one place and rich in another" (Rosh Hashana 3:5). In other words, Tanach explains itself, as in one place the text will be poor and closed, but the information can come from a "richer" context. This gives a powerful tool of exegesis – finding connections between texts.
The fact that the word bayit (house), with similar conjugations, is found in both contexts, hints to connect the two and assume they are talking about the same "central character." When the use of the same word appears in a halachic context, it is called a gezeira shava, and that can be used for derivations only when an existing tradition calls for it. In a homiletic context, there are no such limitations.
The rules we have mentioned are based on the assumption that in the first stage, the entire Torah was given from the Heavens as one book. After that, in stages over a long period of time, the books of Nach were given and the process was completed when the Men of the Great Assembly, with powers of prophecy and/or Divine Spirit, sealed the group of books we know as Tanach. From that critical time, Tanach became one work that explains itself, one section from another.
Why would the information on one matter be split among different works? The prophet Yirmiyahu answers that question based on the principle that the one ultimate source for all of the sections of Tanach is Hashem. If so, the information got to us through the books’ "fall" from the highest of places, during which process they were "broken to bits." Only when the pieces are put together again do we receive the ability to understand matters in depth. Yirmiyahu sums up this phenomenon with the pasuk: "Indeed this is My word, which is like fire, says Hashem, and just as a hammer smashes a stone" (23:29).
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)
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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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
