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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Rabbi David b"r Avraham Levi Melamed
Question: Why did our sages establish the 1st of Tishrei as the New Year for planting, and the 15th of Shevat as the New Year for trees? Why designate two different days?
The Gemarah in Rosh Hashanah states, "The 1st of Shevat is the New Year for trees. What is the reason for this?" Rabbi Oshea attributes this date to be the New Year for trees because "most of the rain has fallen." The Meiri explains that the 15th of Shevat falls exactly in the middle of the winter period, which continues until the 1st of the month of Nisan. At that point, half of the winter has passed and "its power has been weakened, the coldness that was prevalent before is not as strong, and the ripening of the fruits continues and succeeds." The spring draws close and the tree steadily marches towards it final goal- to give forth its fruit. Until now it was a tree that was receiving, and now it is changed to a tree that gives of its fruits. The tree begins to reveal its hidden qualities and move from its potential state to its active state.
On the first of Tishrei, after the summer, the land is dry and withdraws within itself, thus not allowing itself to be "exploited." In contrast, on the first of Nisan, Spring arrives and the forces of nature are renewed. Everything in the plant and animal world renews itself and begins to flourish. Nissan is also the month in which the nation of Israel was born.
The holiday of the trees, which falls in the middle of the winter period, toward the month of Nisan, symbolizes the beginning of the awakening of potential growth. The 15th of Shevat represents the period prior to the beginning of the movement from potential to actual, which reaches its peak in the month of Nisan.
Hashem created the world, according to the opinion of Rabbi Eliezar, on the first of Tishrei, although only in the month of Nisan are all the hidden forces of the world revealed: the forces of nature and the land, as well as spiritual and metaphysical forces. Therefore, the 1st of Tishrei was established as the New Year for planting, far from the day in which the trees will actually give its fruit, and the 15th of Shevat as the New Year for the Trees , when the beginning of the stirring of the forces of the land in Israel bring forth its holy fruits. It is not by accident that fruits that were forbidden to be eaten from the moment of planting become permissible on the 15th of Shevat. In their first years of planting the fruits belong to the world above (like a form of engagement), and then they descend to the ordinary world. It is desirable that our first meeting with these fruits occurs on the 15th of Shevat, as this day represents the beginning of the descent to our world, the mundane world, of all the forces that exist.
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)
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)
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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.
