YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Moreshet Shaul
One who sits down in the evening next to a gemara, an Ein Yaakov, or a Chumash, sets aside time for Torah study in the morning, or is a supporter of Torah – his world changes. You are fortunate that you have a kollel (the address was to a group in Tel Aviv) where Torah is taught in a broad manner, and they do not suffice with a little in the morning and at night. You support them and make sure to do that in a dignified manner. This turns your professions, your earnings, your concern for a good livelihood, into something spiritual – "as the days that the heavens are above the land" (Devarim 11:21) – spiritual days. They are not mundane, material days of work, but spiritual days. Even when one is occupied with other things, his actions are a result of a spiritual concern, of study that brings to action. The work is not plain work, but work that is related to Torah.
This is the main point that is missing these days. We have to warn those who think that it is worthwhile to watch television, beyond the news, but rather broadcasts of entertainment. We need no other entertainment but Torah. "Your dodim are better than wine" (Shir Hashirim 1:2). [We can explain it that] just like a baby enjoys the taste of nursing from his mother, so too with Torah, the more you imbibe, the better it tastes for you. We do not need to look for other recreation. At the moment we concentrate our lives around Torah study and begin to love it and see it as "our life and the length of our days" – and this is not an external expression but a real situation where our whole lives are centered on something spiritual – then our days are heaven on earth. In this fashion we will find the true content of our life and also our connection to Eretz Yisrael, and especially to Jerusalem.
We speak about Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. What is a capital? Is it like London and Moscow are capitals of their countries? That is not enough for us, and does not accomplish anything. Let Tel Aviv be the capital, who cares?! We must see Jerusalem as the Holy City, the place where, when the Temple was standing, people would go up to it "to learn to fear Hashem, your Lord, all of the days" (Devarim 14:23). A person who was in Jerusalem would soak up the atmosphere of sanctity and purity. This is what gave Jerusalem its value, as the city of sanctity, and for this reason it is the capital, as it is sanctity that brings on kingship and grandeur.
We are in the week of sefirat ha’omer that is connected to grandeur. The State of Israel is in its essence founded upon grandeur. We could have lived in foreign lands, at least when they let us live. There are dangers here as well. We are here because it is our spiritual cradle. This is where our forefathers created a practice of prophecy. Yehoshua passed on the Torah to the elders, who passed it on to the prophets, who passed it on to the Men of the Great Assembly. The fact that there is this uninterrupted chain of "You shall inform your sons and your sons’ sons … [of the receipt of the Torah] at Sinai" (Devarim 4:9) is the main thing that we see in Eretz Yisrael. This is the reason we need a state. We are not belittling the state, and we need to develop it. In a few days, we will celebrate Independence Day. Some people will feel that it has no value; this is a denial of Hashem’s gift to us. Hashem gave us this vessel (the state), and we need to fill it with true content, which it needs, is capable of, and will have.
May Hashem put in the midst of the community living in Zion a true spirit, which shall allow the building and establishment of Jerusalem, so that the nations of the world will see that Hashem’s Name is upon us, and they will fear us.
Moreshet Shaul (48)
Various Rabbis
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
46 - MORESHET SHAUL: THE STAFF OF PLEASANTNESS
Load More
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: Members of the Nation Who Are in The Fields
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 95 (from 1942)
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: What Connects Us as a Nation – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 704
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
