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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Noach
What is the meaning of the expression, "vayachel "? Rashi explains that it means to wait. He supports it with the use of the word in regard to Iyov, for whom people waited to hear what he had to say (Iyov 29:21). We can bring similar support from the long wait of Eglon’s servants for their slain leader (Shoftim 3:25) and Shaul’s nerve-racking wait for Shmuel (Shmuel I, 13:8).
However, further investigation raises another possibility. Noach’s difficult situation is reminiscent of that of another person, Yehoachaz ben Yehu, King of Israel, who was hit with a "flood" of troubles. He was preceded by two generations by the evil king, Achav, who despite certain glaring deficiencies, merited a robust economy and was successful in battle. In contrast, during Yehoachaz’s reign, a tremendous downturn occurred. He was defeated soundly by the Aramites, prompting the pasuk, "The King of Aram ... left for Yehoachaz only 50 cavalry men, 10 chariots, and 10,000 foot soldiers" (Melachim II, 13:7). What did Yehoachaz do to extricate himself from this predicament? "Vayechal Yehoachaz the face of Hashem" (ibid.:4). Here the root we have been working with clearly means to pray, and indeed Hashem answered him favorably even though the people were not virtuous enough to have otherwise deserved success (ibid.).
But why does the Torah use a root that could easily be understood by a different meaning? Let us try to answer with the help of yet another use of this root in that time period. After things reached a particular low, the king exclaimed: "Alas, this trouble is from Hashem! Why should I pray (ochil ) to Hashem anymore" (ibid. 6:33). Although the navi does not name the king, it is likely that it is referring to the one who did vayechal elsewhere, Yehoachaz. His claim was that when we see that the prayers are not helping, there is no point to continue. The answer to his claim is the double meaning of vayechal: one has to pray and one has to wait patiently regarding the prospects of an accepted prayer. If we are patient, the salvation will come.
It is likely then that Noach’s vayechal was also a waiting accompanied with prayer, as Yehoachaz was told to do 2,000 years later. Every subsequent generation would do well to also internalize this idea: pray patiently and wait prayerfully.
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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.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
