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Beit Midrash
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The ingenious & rational Rambam (hil. M'lachim 5, 5) adds several surprising words in defining the Torah mitzva to remember what Amalek did to us: "to constantly (!) remember their evil deeds and their ambush of Israel TO AROUSE OUR HATRED of them". We usually relate to hatred as something we are meant to overcome, and surely not "arouse"! And why does the Rambam add that this obligation is "constant".
Another obvious question is: if there is no longer Amalek in the world, why must we stubbornly "remember what Amalek did to us". We Jews have a long memory, but when an historic issue seems no longer relevant, the Talmud asks: "מאי דהוה הוה!", "What was, was"- so who cares? (e.g. Yoma 5b), so what's the "nafka mina" (practical application)?! Anyway you look at it, it's been 2500 years since there was a practical mitzvah to fight the Amalek children!
I think this mitzvah can be likened to the classic advice of many a father to their teenage daughter: "BH you have grown up to be a very sweet and beautiful young lady, and we love you that way, but don't be naïve. Just know that there are some evil people out in the world. Don’t let them take advantage of you!"
We Israeli citizens who comprise the IDF are normal peace-loving people who are not naturally "tough", and would prefer spending our time on creative pursuits. This is exactly the problem which enabled the Hamas to surprise us on that fateful Simchat Torah. Many Israelis lived in a naïve dream-world, thinking that if we just pull out of Gush Katif, if we just treat them nicely, there will be peace. We mistakenly PROJECTED our own mindset onto our enemy. Didn't our parents teach us: "it take two to tangle"? So if we are adamant to be friendly with them, rationally that's what we should get in return (see Mishlei 20, 17).
Unfortunately, the past year year and a half, the Hamas has proven to anyone objective that the lack of peace in the middle-east is a direct outcome of their understanding of Islam. What does murdering the helpless, rape and mutilation have to do with their "freedom"? I admit that I don't know much about their religion, and that there may be other peaceful interpretations to Islam, but as long as Hamas and ISIS interpret it the way they do, we cannot put our heads in the sand and deny reality. Yes, Am Yisrael yearns for peace, but in our eternal role as a Light to the Nations, our loving Father teaches us this Shabbat, that it's irresponsible to be naïve and let evil people take advantage of us. This is a constant mitzvah, just in case we sometimes may want to forget the irrationality of anti-Semitism…
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
