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Beit Midrash
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The Oral Law’s main element is that Torah scholars were given the authority not only to pass on what they received from their teachers, but also to arrive at new conclusions. These ideas become part of the corpus of Torah, to the extent that even opinions like which we do not rule are not erased, as they contain elements of Torah. Undoubtedly, every deliberation and decision of a scholar is impacted by his essence, personality, and approach to things. While the Torah forms one’s personality and imprints his logic and characteristics, this is only in regard to providing form and direction; it does not create the characteristics. Therefore, Hillel and Shamai had different fundamental styles, despite both learning Torah, and this played a role in the differences in rulings by the two academies they led.
The authority the Rabbis received to confer Torah status on their ideas is the great novelty that comes from the Oral Law. This authority is not very limited and does not have an end point. It is alive, renewing, and continual. For this reason, it was not meant to be written down, as writing gives it rigidity and finality.
Moreshet Shaul (48)
Various Rabbis
7 - Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part III
8 - Moreshet Shaul: Responsible Innovation in the Oral Law
9 - Moreshet Shaul: Responsible Innovation in the Oral Law To Learn and to Be Happy
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Because of the Oral Law’s double characteristic, Judaism has continued creating the corpus of Torah even after the Oral Law, as expressed in the Mishna and Talmud, was largely committed to writing. The wellspring continues to expand. New approaches to analysis and understanding, new insights and in-depth study, are added in every generation. Questions arising in practical life that could not have been imagined in previous generations raise new challenges for leading rabbinic experts. The rulings made on these enable the nation to continue the Torah’s path of life in a changing reality. Occasionally, Judaism encounters challenges raised by students who did not learn sufficiently, who break the continuity of Halacha and claim they must change the Torah to make it relevant for the demands of the time. However, eventually we overcome the crisis, and the nation remains within the accepted channel.
We are in such conflicts these days, for example, in America, between those faithful to Judaism and different "innovators" – the Reform and Conservative. Occasionally, they assemble their "rabbis" to deal with issues, and they imagine they solve them with arbitrary decisions, unrelated to existing principles of Halacha. In that way, they permitted driving a car to synagogues on Shabbat, while limiting travel for pleasure. They permitted wine improperly touched by non-Jews if needed for Kiddush and Havdala. Any reasonable person realizes that these "improvements" have no basis in Halacha and are just destructive rulings, whose point is to accept what is happening instead of overcoming difficulties. How comical and illogical it is to permit these things on a limited basis, which is done just to quiet their conscience and make it easier to destroy everything. This is not the way of the Oral Law, which they only pretend to follow.
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: What Connects Us as a Nation – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 704
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Character Refinement – part IV
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p.154
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Addresses to Students at Kfar Haroeh (1942, 1944)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 238
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Connection between Talmid Chacham and Am Ha’aretz
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 665
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.
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)
