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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Shabbat
The Talmud records for us that many of the great rabbis and scholars of the time were personally involved in preparing their houses, tables and meals for Shabat. From setting the table to curing the salted fish to sweeping the floors, all of these were considered to be noble and important activities in readying the home and one’s self for the arrival of Shabat. Though I am neither great nor overly scholarly, I am in charge in our home of setting the table and supervising the Shabat food cooking in our oven. The latter is done surreptitiously, since that is really my wife’s domain and exclusivity of division of labor is a wise course for a successful marriage relationship. Nevertheless, this allows me to tell guests at our Shabat table that the food was prepared under strict rabbinical supervision. Jewish tradition also prescribes that the husband should prepare the candles that his wife will later light in welcoming in the Shabat to their home. I find this to be an act of affection to my wife and to the Shabat itself. The custom is that the husband actually lights the candles to make certain that the wicks are in proper order and then extinguishes them until they are lit for Shabat. It is the small things in life and home that build the great relationship. Judaism does recognize anything as being a small thing - and certainly not as to the necessity for preparing the home and one’s self for Shabat.
The Talmud uses the relationship of erev Shabat and Shabat itself as a metaphor for life itself. It states: "One who toils on erev Shabat will eat well on Shabat." This is not only valid in a literal sense but it reflects the Jewish attitude towards life and living in a general sense. Enjoying success - Shabat - in any endeavor, educational, commercial or personal is always conditioned on toiling beforehand - erev Shabat. The rabbis in Avot stated: "According to the effort and pain is the reward and payment." Judaism posits no free lunch to anyone. It is the erev Shabat that alone creates the Shabat in all of its grandeur, simplicity and serenity. The fact that Friday afternoons are already times of business closings and home preparations contribute greatly to this erev Shabat atmosphere. No matter how different Jews have attempted to have a Jewish life without a traditional and observant Shabat it is now abundantly clear that the Shabat remains the cornerstone of Jewish life and continuity. The famous slogan that "More than the Jews have kept the Shabat, the Shabat has kept and preserved the Jews" has never been more true and telling than in our time. When all of the ideologies that were supposed to redeem us from our troubles have visibly and miserably failed, the Shabat remains as a beacon of light and hope for Israel and as a symbol of our eternal covenant with our Creator. And therefore, that is what makes the erev Shabat so vital for our society as well.
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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
