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Beit Midrash
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The gemara (Bava Metzia 112a) says that a person takes his salary so seriously that he would endanger his life in order to do the job that earns him his money. That is reason to make sure to pay on time, since if the employee takes his salary so seriously, so should the employer. But let’s put things into perspective. The employee is interested in his salary, which is after all, just money. Should one risk his life for money? Should the fact that one is waiting for money make the world stand still for him? If yes, why is there no parallel mitzva regarding one who owes money for any reason (loan, damages, etc.)?
Before trying to answer these questions, let us see another explanation by the gemara (ibid. 111b) for this pasuk. The gemara says that a person who works gives of himself by becoming an employee. Rashi explains that he "enslaves" himself by taking the responsibility of being a worker. This can be seen practically as agreeing to do hard work (see Yaakov’s description of a proper work ethic). However, the gemara implies that even when the work is not so hard, the same phenomenon is assumed to exist.
Hashem decreed upon Adam and his descendants that they would have to work hard in order to ensure their sustenance. Those who are self employed, live up to this necessity as they work before Hashem alone. However, others become slaves of sorts to other human beings. (For this reason, the halacha is that one must be able to back out of his work obligation or he would violate the prohibition of making himself a slave.) Hashem did not want to create a situation where some people were, to a certain extent, being enslaved while others were enslaving them. Therefore, the Torah decreed that whenever an employee obligated himself, whether by endangering himself or simply by agreeing to commit his time and energy to another, he would not be alone. His employer would also be subjugated to the very strict task of paying within a short amount of time. This is not just a matter of paying debts. Rather, the laws of payment "level out the playing field" so that both employer and employee feel a real obligation and therefore neither feels all powerful or powerless.
The Torah sees the worker as one with great responsibilities, but the Torah also sees him as an equal to his employer. The worker’s needs must also be addressed and his status must be safeguarded.
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
