Yeshiva
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayishlach
Yaakov is strengthened in his belief and will by the promises made to him by God many years earlier in his life before he embarked on his fateful journey to Aram. He never questions the validity of God’s support of him, of his eventual salvation and survival, no matter how difficult the circumstances of life that constantly arise. In this he is the paradigm of all future Jewish existence that mimics his life and circumstances. Jewish life and events can be characterized as always being one of "out of the fire into the frying pan." There never seems to be a letup, a respite from the challenges and dangers that constantly arise. Yet we Jews are constantly aware of God’s promise that He will never completely forsake us and that within us lays the ability of being an eternal and constantly renewed people. Being a loyal and Torah abiding Jew can create within us individually a sense of serenity and harmony. However, as a nation and people, such an easier passage through the waters of human history is unlikely. It is natural for us to wish that this would somehow be otherwise. But the life and events of the life of Yaakov stare us in the face. They chart our course in life as well. Faith in God and the will to persevere under all circumstances and difficulties define our goals and hopes in this difficult world that we live in. For after all, we are all the children of Yaakov.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Various Events FOR WHOM NOT TO VOTE
Rav Zvi Yehuda Kook stressed that Israeli politics is G-dly, so I have no problem answering this common question on a Torani blog. Also, Free-Will is a G-d-given right and obligation, to "destine one's fate" (R. Soloveichik, Kol Dodi Dofek, 67), so I obviously don't tell others how to vote. But once not a few (especially young) have already asked, a couple of personal words from experience and thoughts from chazal & Rav Kook which may be of help to others, mainly for whom NOT to vote.
P'ninat Mishpat Fallout from Failure to Install Elevator – part II
based on ruling 85007 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
