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Beit Midrash
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The only "national meeting" with Hashem in history was the revelation at Sinai. The Torah was given in the desert, and most of its mitzvot apply in all places and times, but some mitzvot only apply in Eretz Yisrael, and it is also the ideal place for fulfilling all the mitzvot. Thus, there is an eternal link between Har Sinai and the Holy Land.
The mitzvot of Shemitta (7-year cycle) and Yovel (50-year cycle), which strictly regulate the working of agriculture and commerce, give expression to the Land’s sanctity. Even the mundane in Eretz Yisrael is holy, and agriculture here is a sacred undertaking. It is as the Chatam Sofer (to Sukka 36a) said: "Included in the mitzva of settling Eretz Yisrael is to extract its holy fruit, about which the Torah commanded, ‘You shall harvest your grain’ … it is as if to say ‘I will not put on tefillin because I am learning Torah,’ so too one should not say, ‘I will not harvest my grain because of my involvement in Torah.’" This Torah giant continues, that the same is true for any profession that develops society.
This teaches us a critical lesson. Any involvement that engenders development of the community of Eretz Yisrael, from a scientific, economic, manufacturing, or technological perspective, as well as a perspective of transportation or ecology, is connected to this mitzva. The Chatam Sofer hinted at the connection between this and the strong sign of the process of liberation: "Oh mountains of Israel: You will develop branches, which will bear fruit for my nation Israel, for they are about to come" (Yechezkel 36:8, see Sanhedrin 98a). This sign applies to all development, not just agricultural. In our times, we are blessed with agricultural and especially technological success.
For the mitzva of yovel, which is connected to Shemitta, there is another element. The assumption behind this mitzva is that public economic life is handled according to Torah laws. Such an agrarian reform can only be accomplished with an independent Jewish state, which can regulate such activity, and specifically in Eretz Yisrael.
The gemara (Sanhedrin 20b) lists the three mitzvot that became operative when Bnei Yisrael entered the Land: 1. Appointing a king; 2. Wiping out the offspring of Amalek; 3. Building a Temple. The gemara derives that the above is the necessary order of fulfillment. In conceptual and practical terms, creating a state is equivalent to appointing a king. Without stable governance, one cannot build and operate an army and it is needed for a major project like building a Temple. Only when David was well established was he able to start the process of building the Beit Hamikdash (see Shmuel II, 6-7).
Yom Yerushalayim is a critical part of the holidays of national reemergence. Hashem arranged matters so that the modern national days fall out between Pesach and Shavuot. Lag Ba’omer too is related to Rabbi Akiva’s and Rabbi Shimon’s support of the Jewish army. This is a good introductory period before Shavuot.
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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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
