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History and life show us the importance of small things. High sounding values and theories are difficult to communicate from one generation to the next. Even nationalism, Marxism, pacifism and other then thought of as being lofty ideals were unable to meet the challenge of changing times and circumstances and continue in later generations. The Torah wisely taught us that great ideas, big things, are only lasting if communicated through small things, everyday behavior, rituals of rote, good habits if you will. By performance of the everyday mitzvoth of life, the values that they represent, the great and noble ideas that guaranteed the slow progress of civilization throughout the millennia become real with a possibility of their becoming realized. Without the small things the great things fade and disappear. There arise later generations who know not Yosef - who do not believe that the great things have any relevance in their lives since they are essentially not a part of their daily everyday lives. It is the small things in life that carry along the great things and transmit them over time and place. That is why the Torah is seemingly so preoccupied with small things. It knows that otherwise the big things that it represents, harmony, serenity, charity, human perfection and a just society, will never be achieved. Thus the Torah teaches us that the path to accomplish great things lies in the daily repetition of small things and that these small things contain the secret of human holiness and uniqueness.
The non-observant "pluralistic" streams of Judaism are learning this lesson the hard way. The hemorrhaging of Jews assimilating, intermarrying has had far reaching and deleterious consequences. Tikun olam - perfecting the world is a noble Jewish value and cause. But operating on its own it really has no relevance to one’s everyday life and behavior since it has no framework in which to so operate. If it is part of the structure of ritual, of blessings, prayer, avoidance of slander, giving charity daily and other examples of the fulfillment of God’s commandments and Jewish tradition then the lofty becomes more attainable. Without the daily requirements of Jewish behavior and tradition, the big things become completely lost in the cacophony of sound and noise that is our daily existence. The great business executives whose futures lie in the next quarterly earnings statement rarely have time to think about tikun olam. However, if they would have to interrupt their busy day every day for the mincha prayer service, then the concept of tikun olam enunciated in that very mincha service could perhaps become more meaningful and relevant in one’s life and decisions - even business decisions. Praying the mincha service is one of the small things in life. But it like all of the other mitzvoth it is the primary guarantor of transmitting the values and goals of Judaism onward to later generations and differing circumstances. So my friends, in reality there are no small things in life.
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
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)
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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.
