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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Moreshet Shaul
The sin of the Tree of Knowledge needs explanation. It seems that one might think that he can set for himself, according to his own judgment, what is good and what is bad, based on intellect. This is false because the intellect can only use and apply previous precedents.
Moreshet Shaul (48)
Various Rabbis
1 - Moreshet Shaul: Thoughts on the Blessing on Torah
2 - Moreshet Shaul: Rebirth Through Torah
3 - Moreshet Shaul: Recognize Your Place
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The blessing we make on Torah study is: "… Who chose us … and gave us His Torah." In the blessing before Kri’at Shema, we add and request: "Our father, the merciful father … put wisdom in our hearts, to understand and be enlightened." This impassioned prayer is specifically that which can serve as the blessing for Torah, as this is what is required for there to be Torah.
At the end of the morning prayers, we add: "He shall open our hearts to His Torah, and He shall place in our hearts love and fear of Him." If the heart is not opened by the Torah, it is not possible to reach any significant level of love and fear, because the basic principle is that there is a need for Torah. In other words, the divine principle of free will does not allow one [after doing the basics of service of Hashem] to follow that which he desires to do.
On the contrary, why was the Torah given to Israel? It is because they are brazen (Beitza 25a). In other words, if they were not so, then their personal traits would have turned out to be destructive. That is why the fact that Bnei Yisrael did not make the blessing on the Torah caused the destruction [of the Second Temple] (Bava Metzia 85b).
"… Who chose us … and gave us His Torah." When an important person turns to me, I feel satisfaction if I can fulfill his request. This satisfaction is so much more evident when the Creator of the World Himself turns to us with requests, and not privately but with thundering sound and powerful flashes. What an honor it was! Imagine the contentment we have if we can fulfill His request.
"… and He planted the eternal life in our midst" – We see so clearly, from the earliest of historical times, that we are an eternal nation who have that which gives us eternal life – the Torah. This idea is brought home by Rabbi Akiva’s parable of the fish (Berachot 61b). A fox tried to convince a fish to come on to land to protect himself from the fisherman, and the fish responded and that if in the place it is capable of living, it is in danger, imagine what would be in the place where it is incapable of living. This is what Rabbi Akiva did with his life. He was killed by the Romans for teaching Torah, and through his death bequeathed us life.
Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Jewish Philosophy in Daily Life
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 250
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Introduction to Midrash Rabba – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 121
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Discipline in Informal Education – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 168-170
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
