YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- D'varim
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
The midrash (Eicha 1) uses a parable to contrast the three mentions of eicha. There was a noble woman who was observed by three close friends: one saw her in successful times; one saw her in her "haste;" one saw her in her disgrace. So too, Moshe asked eicha during the time of Bnei Yisrael’s honor. Yeshaya asked it in their struggles. Yirmiya used it in their disgrace.
We can understand the parable with a further parable of a sick woman who was seen by three doctors at different stages of illness. Likewise, Moshe was able to discern in a basically healthy nation symptoms that foretold future problems (Rashi highlights some of the troublesome attributes of stubbornness that the people were settling into). Moshe understood that exile would apparently be needed. Yeshaya observed the nation when it was already sick, comparing the one-time righteous nation to a harlot. However, the nation would retain its independence and Temple for close to 200 years. Yirmiya saw the nation in absolute ruins, when the people had already been sent into exile and the Land was barren and destroyed.
The last pasuk of Eicha seems to paint a picture of utter hopelessness. "For if You have been disgusted by us, you have been furious at us to an extreme." We have the minhag to complete the reading not from this last pasuk but from the preceding one: "Return us, Hashem, to You and we shall return; renew our days as of old," thus avoiding the bitter ending from remaining in our mouths. The midrash explains that even the last pasuk leaves hope. The first part of the pasuk is a question: did Hashem become disgusted with us? The answer is: no, he is just very angry, but the love is still there, and the anger will subside. Therefore, there is still room for "renewing the days as of old."
Yalkut Shimoni at the end of Eicha says that the 9th of Av will turn into a day of celebration, as Hashem will Himself rebuild Jerusalem and gather the exiles (see Tehillim 147:2). As the Rebbe of Ishbitze wrote, the month of Aviv (Pesach time) is the father (av) of the months, but the month of Av is even more of a father. In the future when all other holidays will cease, even Aviv will be subsumed under Av.
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
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)
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: 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)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
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
