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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Moreshet Shaul
Every place in the exile with ten Jews brought stones and earth from Eretz Yisrael to build their houses of prayer (batei knesset) and Torah study (batei medrash), giving the people a feeling of the Land of the Patriarchs, of the Holy Land. These edifices were independent public domains, extraterritorial areas, impenetrable to the atmosphere of the exile.
This recalls the Maharsha’s teaching on the story in Berachot 8a: They told R. Yochanan that there are old people in Bavel. He stated his surprise: The pasuk says "… so that your days and the days of your children will be many on the Land" (Devarim 11:21), implying not in the Diaspora. Once they told him the old men had gone early to batei knesset and returned late, he said: "That is what worked for them." The Maharsha explains that the batei knesset and batei medrash in Bavel will eventually be established in Eretz Yisrael, so that it is as if they were "on the Land."
Thus, the financial backbone of the communities, the lay leadership of the batei knesset and batei medrash in the Diaspora over the generations, have all served as ambassadors of Eretz Yisrael. By establishing these institutions, they guarded the holy fire, preventing it from going out. In those houses, the independence of Israel was preserved; they drew from there the power of the spirit and the selfless dedication to stand strong against ruthless enemies. Hashem promised Yaakov He would protect him in Egypt: "Yosef will place his hand over your eyes" (Bereishit 46:4). Yosef represented the financier and lay leadership of Diaspora communities. He took steps to prevent assimilation with Egypt in that first exile. This was the guarantee that the Divine Presence would dwell among Jewish communities even in the lands of their dispersion. The "eyes of the nation" in subsequent exiles learned from the precedent of Yosef in Egypt.
Now, the continuation of the pasuk is also becoming a reality: "I will indeed bring you up." The wonders of wonders (The 6 Day War) that are happening before our eyes show vividly all who have eyes to see and ears to hear that the day of complete liberation is approaching. Realize that together with Israel’s liberation comes the Divine Presence’s liberation. In fact, Israel’s liberation is conditional on the Divine Presence’s liberation, as Chazal’s aforementioned statement says: "In the future, batei knesset and batei medrash in Bavel will be established in Eretz Yisrael." This is because there is no liberation of the body without liberation of the soul. The prophecy of liberation is not just the vision of bones getting closer to each other and flesh and skin growing on them (see Yechezkel 37), but also the insertion of Hashem’s spirit into the nation that dwells in Zion.
We must once again remember the pasuk about Yaakov’s dependence on Yosef and his promised return to Eretz Yisrael. You, Jewish leaders, the eyes of the communities, look at the "hand of Yosef" pointing to Zion and Jerusalem. Hear his last will and testament, "Hashem will certainly redeem you" (Bereishit 50:25). Yosef reached the greatest heights of power in the first exile. He did not undergo the terror of Egyptian subjugation, thousands of years of persecution, or the disappointments at the hands of cultures who broke their promises. Yosef commanded – his one desire is to be taken posthumously to Eretz Yisrael. For honor and riches one gets in foreign lands will not bring real blessing; the niceties come and go. Even the staying power of the prayer and study halls abroad are based on their connection to Eretz Yisrael, where they must be brought in the future.
The Israeli stones and earth in your edifices scream to you: "Return us to our origin." May the shine of gold and conveniences of foreign lands not blind you. Do not believe the imaginary stability. Do not believe you can preserve proper Judaism anywhere. The Land is calling you, as is the Western Wall. The walls of the Holy Temple which we are uncovering are calling, as is the Divine Presence – return to our origin to "raise up the House of Hashem and rebuild the ruins" (Ezra 9:9).
Moreshet Shaul (48)
Various Rabbis
47 - I Will Bring You Back Up – part I
48 - I Will Bring You Back Up – part II
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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: Returning Torah to its Central Standing – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 312
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Discipline in Informal Education – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 168-170
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 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
