YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Yitro
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Jewish Holidays
- Tu Bishvat
Parshat Yitro teaches us that Israel prepared physically and spiritually for 3 entire days to get ready to receive the Torah (19, 14-16). Similarly, we constantly try teaching our children patience, especially when Israeli's can generally improve on this particular trait. Militarily, we would like another lightning-quick Entebbe raid, or a 6 Day War, but forget that usually only G-d works in 6 days, but man usually needs a lot more time for significant changes. We know but sometimes forget, that the best things in life don't involve instant gratification, but rather long-term investment and accordingly, longstanding pleasure. Especially the longest, even eternal (!) redemption.
Some say that Hamas has actually forever changed world warfare- where extensive tunnels and mass kidnapping of hostages have proven to complicate our retaliation. Others say that this strategy will only work against Israel which is unfortunately held to a different standard, and where even though the halacha was always not to ransom at an exorbitant cost (Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 252), historically we often did. Just like today, we always had a sometimes too-soft Jewish heart! Either way, our present war is a lot longer & more complicated than ever before.
Rav Kook writes that "Reality does not have 'wings' to fly as fast as dreams do" (Orot, p. 52), especially in the process of redemption- the biggest and most long-lasting revolution in world history. This war is surely a significant step forward in this ge'ula process regarding many issues, so accordingly, we need patience. Our world was created, and to this day, is generally based upon slow but sure evolution.
In fact, this is one of the major lessons of Tu BiShvat. As opposed to vegetables which grow quickly and maximum only last several years, the tree takes much longer to produce fruit, but it can then live even several thousand years (e.g. some of the olive trees in Chevron). Even after fruit grows, there is the mandatory "patience" of orla which we cannot eat for the first 3 years, and then must redeem them in the 4th (r'vai). Chazal teach us that even forbidden pleasures are all eventually permitted in one way or another (Chullin 109b), just that often we must wait 6 hours. This disciplines us to succeed in all future challenges (as proven by the "Stanford Marshmallow Experiment").
True, emotionally we "cannot wait" for our sisters and brothers to come home, but "the eternal nation is not deterred by a long-journey" (based upon 2 sayings of R. Kook, pp. 54-55). ""מרחוק ה' נראה לי ואהבת עולם אהבתיך, "From long ago, the Lord appeared to me; With everlasting love have I loved you" (Yirmiyahu 31, 2).
Shabbat Shalom & Tu B'Shvat Same'ach! Rav Ari Shvat (Chwat)
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.
Ein Aya Practical Tricks How Not to Accept Gossip by Giving the Benefit of the Doubt
Ayn Aya, Shabbat v, 65
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)
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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
