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Another poignant pasuk on water is, "You shall draw water with joy (b’sason) from the wellsprings of salvation" (Yeshayahu 12:3). A unique characteristic of a wellspring is that the water flows away from its source and is replenished. At times, the wellspring has a weak flow, and it can appear that it is drying up, but then soon thereafter a new flow appears and the spring is restored to its former state.
They would also say at the Simchat Beit Hashoeva: "Our fathers who were in this place (the Beit Hamikdash) had their backs to the Holies and their faces eastward, and they would bow down eastward toward the sun, but our eyes are toward Hashem." Rabbi Yehuda claimed that they would repeat the matter and say: "We are to Hashem, and our eyes are to Hashem" (Mishna, Sukka 5:4).
Along these lines, the "wellsprings of Israel" never dried up. Against all calculations, matters develop in a different direction. Many times, the wise men of the nations of the world "stood with their watches in their hands" to see the end of Am Yisrael, but it was they who disappeared. Many times, cynics within our nation stood up to see when the Torah of Israel would cease to be preserved, and they were proven wrong. At different times, we have seen those who see everything that has to do with Israel and its Torah as antiquated. They bow down to the sun in the east, representing that they see the "rising sun" among the nations, whereas they see the holy in Israel as something to turn one’s back on. This is not just incidental distancing of oneself, but purposely turning the head away. Nevertheless, that period was over [by the time of this declaration], and a new generation arose. The new generation had people who acted appropriately from the time of their youth, and others, as described in the gemara, who began acting properly later on, so that their older ages had to bring atonement for the sins of their youth. But one way or the other, both types came to the Beit Hamikdash to celebrate.
The explanation is that the Jewish spirit is not satiated by the vanities that the gentile world has to offer. At the end of the historical process, they became tired with the wild partying, which does not have any real content. Rather, it only incites people to acts of sin and causes the foundations of Jewish society to crumble.
The gemara (Sukka 48b) tells of a heretic whose name was Sason, and he exclaimed based on the aforementioned pasuk of "You shall draw water with joy (b’sason) from the wellsprings of salvation" that in the World to Come they would draw water for Sason. They responded to him that the pasuk did not say "l’sason" (for Sason) but b’sason (with joy). The message behind this story is that for us, sason is but a means of encouraging proper action. As such, it is usually hidden from the eye. The life of a Jew involves hard work and never ceasing tension. When the time for sason comes, it is "with sason," as a means towards an end – to sum up what happened in the past and to use it to strengthen our resolve toward the future.
Moreshet Shaul (48)
Various Rabbis
11 - Moreshet Shaul: The Ethics of the Torah
12 - Moreshet Shaul: With Sason, Not for Sason
13 - Moreshet Shaul: To Learn and to Be Happy – part II
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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: Inability to Pass on Abandoned Tradition – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 733 (1937)
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Introduction to Midrash Rabba – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 121-124
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Eretz Yisrael in Halacha and in Sanctity – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 137
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)
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.
