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Beit Midrash
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Chazal call Rosh Hashana the "Day of Judgment," as we say in our prayers, "Today He will place in judgment all of the creations of the worlds." Nevertheless, it is a happy, optimistic day, especially because of our strong belief in the covenant between Hashem and the Jewish People. During the millennia in exile as a persecuted, vulnerable minority, Am Yisrael did not lose hope and re-coronated the Creator and King of the World year after year.
On the tenth day of Hashem sitting on His throne of judgment, on a day of fasting and separation from worldly matters, Am Yisrael commemorates the day on which Hashem said "I forgave." Five days later, we hold four species and leave the protection of a permanent house to live in a sukka. On the eighth day, we proclaim that Hashem causes the wind to blow and the rain to fall. Sukkot is strongly connected to agricultural life, as the Torah calls it "The festival of the harvest" (Shemot 34:22).
Let us explore an additional look at the holidays. On Rosh Hashana we confirm the Kingdom of the Creator of existence from nothing; this ‘coronation’ expresses strong optimism. Since Hashem created the world ex nihilo, He is the "Place of the World," and the world does not contain Him. Hashem is external to the world, although it exists only through Him. Therefore, the rules of nature, including that only the strong survive, do not hold sway on "His flock, who coronate Him." The eternal nation’s survival is ensured, even if it is the symbol of weakness among nations, especially during the long exile, in which it lost any semblance of nationhood. By rejoicing on Rosh Hashana while in exile, the nation demonstrated that spirit is more important than material.
On Yom Kippur, we go further – we posit that the material world is the fake world, as the real world is the spiritual one. We manage fine without eating and physical pleasures. The decisions made based on this belief last until the next Yom Kippur. The next step, Sukkot, is to show that security is not dependent on a sturdy structure. The condition is that our four species must be held together, including the arava, which is brought to the Mikdash on the seventh day, and proclaims the significance of arvut – standing up for each other.
Finally, we are ready for mashiv haruach (which in Hebrew means not only wind, but also spirit). Spirituality, the valuing of charity and justice, are what give our nation its might, not its material acquisitions. This provides a partial look at a full Jewish life.
In our still relatively new State of Israel in Eretz Yisrael, even the mundane becomes sacred. It is not enough for the individual to embrace spirituality. Rather, the nation must, while involved in agriculture and production, also be concerned about the weak in society. The court system must protect all, and everyone must look out for the needs of the other. In short, along with mashiv haruach, we have morid hageshem (geshem meaning not only rain but also the material world) – spirituality turns the material world into a tool to implement Hashem’s value system.
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: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
