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Beit Midrash
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Throughout Tanach, including our parasha, tov appears as an antonym and direct contrast to rah. For example, the full name of the etz hada’at is "the tree of knowledge of tov and rah" (ibid. 17). Rah can be translated as either bad, a broad term applying to many levels and contexts of undesirability, or evil, referring to a low level of morality.
So, lo tov can mean bad or it can mean evil. In theory, it can also include average situations. If we rate on a scale of 1 to 10, and good is from 7 and up and bad is from 3 down, then 4-6 is "not good," but it is also "not bad." So how do we describe the lo tov situation of man without wife? Evil? No. Bad? Maybe, but why would Hashem create such an important creation as man, in a bad way? Average? Maybe, but this is intuitively unappealing.
Perhaps the answer emerges from an interesting phenomenon in the Torah’s portrayal of Creation. Famously, every major stage of creation is summarized, as "Hashem saw that it was tov." This statement usually appears once a day, but does not appear on Day 2 and appears twice on Day 3. On Day 6, creation of animals is described as "tov" (ibid.1:25) and the entire creation as a whole is rated "very tov" (1:31). In between these two tovs, the five p’sukim on creation of man is not "crowned" with a tov. Why not?
Perhaps this is what the Torah means with "lo tov" before Chava’s creation. It was not evil, or bad, or average. However, it was lacking the expected tov of creations. As the creation of the second day waited for completion on the third day, so did Adam need to wait for Chava to become a complete creation (see Yevamot 62b).
Hashem decided that man should be created and recognize himself as incomplete before receiving his completion. This phenomenon repeats itself regularly when a baby Jewish boy is born in a way that requires him to be completed by a brit (see Tanchuma, Tazria 7). We can suggest that since as soon as Chava was created there was completion, when a baby girl is born there is no need to seek completion with a brit or the like.
If tov, as opposed to lack thereof, is connected to being complete, we add appreciation for Chazal’s comment that Moshe was born circumcised and that this is learned from the fact he was described as born tov (see Shemot 2:2; Avot D’Rabbi Natan 2). The fact that males have two hashlamot – brit and a wife – explains more things. A brit includes preparing the boy to eventually live a married life in sanctity. Also, already at the brit, we look ahead to his completion: "Just as he entered the brit, so may he enter Torah, chupa, and ma’asim tovim." Torah is called tov (Mishlei 4:2) and completes a person; finding a wife is called "matza tov" (ibid. 18:22); after these two, a man is ready for ma’asim tovim.
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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
