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Beit Midrash
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- Rain in Israel
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Rabbi Uzi Kalcheim, zt"l
In this vein, a rich person must be on guard against thieves and burglars, or against risky business ventures that could deplete him of his wealth and leave him with nothing. Even a great, popular leader must beware of competitors and opponents eager to replace him, or adversaries who scheme to assassinate him.
The same is true of physical beauty. A beautiful or handsome person must be on guard against pride and haughtiness, or moral corruption. This applies to all human gifts. One must protect them so that they not come to resemble "riches kept by the owner to his detriment" (Ecclesiastes 5:12).
Rain in Israel (17)
Rabbi Uzi Kalchaim zt"l
12 - Rain...and the Coin in One's Pocket
13 - A Blessing in the Marketplace
14 - Profiting from Basic Necessities
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In our present-day reality, because commerce is open and free, this ordinance might seem puzzling. In fact, it seems unjust, because it interferes with and impairs the principle of free commerce. Therefore, an explanation of our sages' intention is called for.
Our sages sought to protect the blessing, to assure that it be divided among all people in as equal a manner as possible, to prevent a rise in prices that would allow only a few to enjoy the blessing. Therefore, there is no prohibition against saving the produce of one's field for one's own family. The essence of the prohibition is to prevent people from cornering the fruit market and selling later at a higher price.
Our sages took this matter very seriously, equating it with Taking interest on loans, an act explicitly prohibited by the Torah (Baba Batra 90b):
"Our Rabbis taught: Concerning those who hoard fruit [to sell later when prices have risen], lend money on usury, reduce the measures and raise prices, Scripture says: 'When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may set forth corn? Making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances of deceit.' (Amos 8:5) And [concerning these] it is [further] written in Scripture, The Lord hath sworn by the pride of Jacob: Surely I will never forget any of their works' (ibid. 7)."
And in other verses in the same passage Amos prophesies against those who "swallow the needy and destroy the poor of the land" (ibid. 4), who want to "buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes, and sell the refuse of the corn" (ibid. 6).
The sages, then, forbade buying fruits at a low price and selling high because they considered this harmful to the lower classes. However, it is permitted to buy up fruits while prices are low and sell them at a low price when the prices rise. This, though, is not considered virtuous behavior. It is better to sell them at a low price when the prices are low so that the market prices remain low; this will prevent a steep rise in prices later.
The Talmud provides us with some background concerning a man by the name of "Shabbtai Otzer Haperot" (Shabtai the Fruit Hoarder) who earned most of his income and profit in the manner discussed above (Baba Batra 90b). Once, the sages relate, his mother smelled some food cooking on Yom Kippur and found it hard to resist. They whispered in her ear "It's Yom Kippur today," but this did not calm her; she was pregnant, and the fetus demanded to be fed. They called to the baby, "---The wicked are estranged from the womb" (Psalms 58:4), and out came "Shabbtai Otzer Haperot." Even in his prenatal stage, then, the power of his passions was discernable.
Our sages' concern about causing a rise in the market prices is discernable also in the days they chose for fasting over national hardships: "We do not begin instituting public fasts on Thursdays in order not to cause a rise in the market prices" (Taanit 10a and 15b).
Were they to call for a fast on Thursday, those fasting would have to buy food for at least two large meals, one to break the fast and one for the Sabbath. This would create an atmosphere of hoarding. Merchants would get the impression that a famine was approaching, and they would begin raising their prices (based on Rashi ad loc.).
This concern exists particularly when fasting for rain, for at such times the market prices rise even more. When merchants see people fasting for rain they say, "There must be a great need for water; were this not the case, the sages would not have decreed a fast just before the Sabbath" (Rambam, Mishnah Commentary, Taanit 2:9).
Therefore, the sages decided that the order of fast days would be Monday-Thursday-Monday, not Thursday-Monday-Thursday, in order to prevent a rise in the market prices. It should be noted, however, that later Torah authorities permit Thursday fasts, explaining that the phenomenon of hoarding fruits is not common in our day.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
