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Beit Midrash
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- Pathways in Personality Development
Whoever has read the life story of the righteous Rabbi Aryeh Levin can certainly attest to the positive impact it made upon him and the many good thoughts it awakened in him. When a person reads about great Torah scholars, their diligence and devotion to the Torah, he himself becomes inspired to devote himself to the Torah. When a person reads about the sages' love for humankind, one becomes filled with such a love himself.
Therefore, parents who wish to instill in their children a love for the Torah, kindness, and good character traits, should give their children books on the lives of the sages of Israel. As a matter of fact, it certainly does not hurt for the parents themselves to read such books.
Pathways in Personality Development (52)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
43 - 43. Cautiously Stringent
44 - 44. Tales of the Sages
45 - 45. Conceit and Divine Service
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Sometimes David pours out his soul before the Almighty while he is pained and beleaguered; he supplicates Him like a child turning to his father for help. At other times, in a state of joy, David sings and praises God for all His kindness. David accepts everything submissively, with humility, and one who reads David's hymns in the book of Psalms cannot help but marvel at his piety.
It goes without saying that a person is able to acquire piety through contemplating God's grandeur, majesty, and extreme benevolence, as well as His great love for the nation of Israel and the preeminence of the Torah and its commandments. The more a person ponders and probes all this, the more infused he becomes with a burning desire to cling to the Almighty.
Conversely, the concerns and worries of daily life impede such contemplation and make it difficult for a person to acquire piety. Therefore the sages teach, "The divine presence does not dwell where there is sadness . . . It dwells only where there is the joy of the commandments."
And the thing that can keep a person from worrying is trust in God - the faith that everything comes from God and that God gives each individual exactly what he needs to have. This does not mean that a person can sit around doing nothing and make no effort whatsoever to support himself. Though a person is obligated to earn a living, he must be aware that his success results from God's blessing, not from the degree of his efforts.
Therefore, a person should place his trust entirely in God, for He "cares for all, and His kindness extends to all of His handiwork" (Psalms 145:9). Everything He does is for the best, and when a person places his trust in God, all of his worries disappear. Then there is room in his heart for piety and pure service of God.
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
