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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Moreshet Shaul
A major difference between Israel and the nations is that Israel received the Torah with its spirit. In contrast, the nations received only the dry laws, which do not bring life to or nourish the spirit. The Torah did not become a drug of life for them but of death, causing death and destruction.
They accepted the laws as a revelation of a stubborn, strong power, to which one is compelled to surrender, as he cannot survive without appeasing Him and following His dictates. At the same time, Israel found in the laws their own internal qualities and spirit, and when they became united with this spirit, they became to some extent, the initiators of the laws. The commandments whose reasons are not known, received their true reason – the upper purpose that was placed within them. Therefore, their fulfillment is not done out of coercion, but willfully, not as an obligation but as a joy. "Serve Hashem with happiness" (Tehillim 100:2) was said about Israel (Tanchuma 58:19). The happiness works toward the service of Hashem and becomes part of it. This is impossible for the nations of the world, as is written, "Do not be happy, Israel, to joy like the nations" (Hoshea 9:1). Their service of Hashem is accompanied by sadness, a feeling of servitude, and limited activeness.
The difference is that Israel looks at mitzvot as an intrinsic goal. The Jew sees that the very fulfillment of mitzvot improves oneself and improves the whole world. In contrast, the nations see the mitzvot as ways to do Hashem’s will, which do not have a direct impact on the world.
Typical of the nations’ outlook is the expression, "The end justifies the means." There is a goal to which one aims, and to reach this goal everything is permissible. We, in contrast, convey intrinsic importance to the actions. When we posit that a good or bad action has a positive or a destructive impact, it turns out that the end and the means are the same. Therefore, the end never justifies the means. In any case, we never allow the end to justify [forbidden] means.
Moreshet Shaul (48)
Various Rabbis
1 - I Will Bring You Back Up – part II
2 - I Will Bring You Back Up – part I
3 - MORESHET SHAUL: THE STAFF OF PLEASANTNESS
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Our good and bad actions have the power to improve and ruin just like our physical actions do. Our spiritual actions actually have broader impact than physical ones. When we have the opportunity to do something good, it should make us happy. We create and improve. When we lose an opportunity, it saddens, as a tool to bring much good for us and the world slips by.
This spirit is included in the Aggadic Rabbinical writings and is foundational to many halachot found in the Oral Law. This includes many rabbinical injunctions, to try to avoid the violation of a Torah law, by providing many protections. This stems from a recognition that the drug of life and of death is in our hands, so that we must be very careful. In this context, the element of doing that which one is required to do is particularly noticeable. Also, the fact that the Rabbis legislated something that the Torah did not command represents the highest level that the whole mitzva came for. Through the expansion of the mitzva, Israel reaches beyond the mitzva.
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: Addresses to Students at Kfar Haroeh (1942, 1944)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 238
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Returning Torah to its Central Standing – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 312
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Eretz Yisrael in Halacha and in Sanctity – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 137
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)
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)
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)
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
