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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Moreshet Shaul
The material of Torah study is not completed with the study of Tanach or Mishna but requires much greater breadth, if you are able to do that. If you are not able, it is possible to fulfill "day and night" by reciting Kri’at Shema, according to one opinion. A second opinion requires at least setting a certain amount of time for study in the day and the night.
There are two types of obligations. One relates to the quantity of material studied. The other relates to the element of time investment. One cannot say: I have free time, so I will go play tennis. No! It is true that if one is tired, he is allowed to take a trip, involve himself in something other than Torah, or amuse himself, as this can make him healthier. The Rambam (De’ot 3:3) applies to such a scenario the pasuk of "In all of your paths know Him" (Mishlei 3:6). However, when the alternative activity is to be done as a hobby and simple enjoyment, one should find this enjoyment and entertainment in Torah. "For [Torah] is our life and the length of our days" (from daily prayers). The pasuk says: "If Your Torah was not my delight, I would have been lost in my affliction" (Tehillim 119:92). Yes, even delight and entertainment is in the Torah. This gives the energy and the importance that makes Israel a special nation – the nation of Torah.
I want to especially stress here that the study of Torah is not just so that we will be able to properly fulfill the mitzvot. Rather it gives the emotional framework, as the Rabbis taught that "Torah brings a person to action" (Kiddushin 40b). What does this mean? The pasuk says: "You shall teach them to your children … so that your days and the days of your children will be increased in the Land that Hashem swore to your forefathers to give them as the days that the heavens are above the land" (Devarim 11:19-21). The stress of the increase in days on the Land tells us that Torah study is a facilitator of success in and connection to the Land. Our merit to deserving the Land is acquired to a great extent by our study and teaching of Torah. The pasuk "as the days that the heavens are above the land" can be explained wittily as follows: This refers to spiritual days over the land. The situation of studying Torah turns the physical life into one that accompanies the spiritual side.
Recently one of the writers who consider themselves very smart, stressed: "Our skies are empty; we do not see anything; there is nothing." He does not notice or realize that if this is the case, he should not be calling people he respects "men of spirit." Where does the spirit come from if not from the Heaven, if there is nothing spiritual? If only that which you can touch and measure exists, then what is spirit (lit., wind) and where does it come from?
We also see all of the pursuit of honor and of improper use of protektzia. We would like to see leaders who set a path to follow, but they are missing the truly spiritual element. They are missing "as the days that the heavens are above the land" because they are missing "You shall teach it to your children." Torah study is sorely missing!
Moreshet Shaul (48)
Various Rabbis
43 - MORESHET SHAUL: THE STUDY OF CHUMASH
44 - MORESHET SHAUL: REGULATION OF LAND RIGHTS IN A SETTLEMENT EXTENSION – PART I
45 - MORESHET SHAUL: THE DAYS THAT THE HEAVEN IS ABOVE THE LAND – PART II
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Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Discipline in Informal Education – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 168
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: Inability to Pass on Abandoned Tradition – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 733 (1937)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
