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Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are known as the "The Fearful Days," but the Rabbis also define them as days of light and salvation. They say "‘My light’ (Tehillim 27:1) refers to Rosh Hashana; ‘and my salvation" (ibid.) refers to Yom Kippur" (Vayikra Rabba 21:4).
Certainly, the days are fearful. When one knows he is standing, face-to-face, before the Creator of the world, and that there is nothing forgotten before His throne of glory and nothing is concealed from His "eyes," he naturally is seized by panic. One can explain his actions with 150 excuses, but he knows this will not work before He who knows man’s thoughts. There are even times when a person may succeed in fooling himself and quiet his conscience with various excuses. There are times he realizes he did something wrong, but he tries to make himself forget it. He may argue to himself – in the final analysis, that which happened is over; why should we dig it up and deal with outdated episodes? However, a person is required to be accountable for all of his actions. It is as if that which relates to the past is not in the past but the present. Actions are brought back to stand before him as if they are occurring now. A bad action is like an accusatory angel, which calls out: "Why would you do such a thing? Woe unto us because of the day of judgment! Woe unto us because of the day of rebuke!"
However, along with the feeling of fear, there is an awakening of regret, which is the "mother of repentance." While it is impossible to ignore the past, it is very possible to remedy what went wrong in the past. Every evil act can be viewed as a matter of darkness. It clouds your thoughts and overpowers your senses. It even instills a feeling of helplessness, making you feel that it is so strong that you are compelled to follow its dictates. You become like a robot without a will of your own. Actions are dictated to you, and you are not the master of your own decisions.
Suddenly, a ray of light bursts into the dark recesses of the spirit. At first, you try to avoid it and more efficiently keep yourself in the darkness. However, when you do not succeed and the light keeps on flowing in and penetrates deeply, then instead of avoiding it, there is a moment of recuperation and recognition that all we require is to align our actions with that which is appropriate.
It is good that it is impossible for us to ignore our mistakes. Fortunately, there is an "eye that sees" and observes us and a "hand" that guides us and assists us to shake off the dirt and the unseemly. If an act of evil is darkness, at least we know that the one day, Yom Kippur, comes to replace the darkness with light and make everything one unit. This is the "one day" to which the Rabbis referred.
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)
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)
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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)
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
