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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Mishpatim
Yitro starts with Moshe’s father-in-law giving advice to Moshe on how to assemble proper judges in a logical system. This topic was generally broached at the end of Beshalach ("There He placed for them statutes and justice, and there He tested them" – Shemot 15:25). As Chazal explain, in Mara, Hashem gave Bnei Yisrael some Torah laws to be involved in, including principles of monetary law (Mechilta D’rabbi Yishmael ad loc.). This involvement got Bnei Yisrael started in the preparation for a proper judicial system.
Later in Yitro, four of the Ten Commandments are connected to the judicial system – false oaths, murder, theft/kidnapping, and false testimony. Right after the giving of the Torah, Mishpatim details many specific areas of Halacha that are the basis of adjudication in beit din. These include the rights of personal freedom, ethics of jurisprudence, and protection of the weak in society. Fields covered include damages, watchmen, loans, and preventing false testimony. Finally, the Torah goes back to the interaction with the Divine Presence at Sinai. This order reinforces the idea that significant Torah-based life depends on a properly functioning judicial system.
Going back thousands of years, it became rare for Jews to have a judicial system, through which to enforce rulings. With the establishment of the State of Israel, Chief Rabbi Herzog’s dream of a proper Jewish judicial system was fulfilled only very partially, with limitations that increased over time. Much work was employed to find a way to apply Torah principles in a modern economic society that involves many technologies and globally bound commerce.
Before founding the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit network of batei din, we did extensive research and held discussions with leading rabbis of our time, which enabled us to know how to provide up-to-date solutions for these challenges. Actually, the Israeli (and international) Law of Arbitration was helpful in building a fully functional beit din system for a democratic Jewish background. The rules of the Law of Arbitration are very in-step with Halacha, and when one follows them, it is relatively easy for litigants to enforce rulings.
In practice, litigants must accept beit din’s authority regarding their dispute by signing an arbitration agreement. Then beit din can hear the claims, listen to witnesses, consider proofs, and, when necessary, make use of experts to clarify complicated technical matters. Some batei din, including ours, provide a possibility to appeal decisions, and if there is a problem with enforcement of the ruling, the Israeli government bureau for such matters can be used.
Through the simple act of agreeing to adjudicate in beit din, litigants merit taking part in the fulfillment of the prophecy: "Zion will be redeemed through justice, and those who return to it, through tzedaka" (Yeshayahu 1:27). In times like these, this is especially critical.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
