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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
Ostensibly, there are two possible, national scenarios: 1) The people keep Hashem’s mitzvot and prosper in the Land. 2) They sin and are expelled from the Land and dispersed. Our haftara provides another possibility. The Ramban connected our pasuk with the phrase used by Pharaoh in the beginning of Shemot, "it will go up from the land." This could refer to the Egyptian nation leaving their own land (Rashi) or to a freed Bnei Yisrael leaving Egypt for Eretz Yisrael (Rashbam). Actually, the generation that left Egypt did not make it to Eretz Yisrael but to the desert. The stay in the desert allowed Bnei Yisrael to properly prepare for the next generation’s entrance to the Land.
We can now present the following explanation of Hoshea’s prophecy, in the context of his extensive criticism of the idolatry to the Ba’al, which devastated large parts of Bnei Yisrael for generations. Followers of the Ba’al believed their worship caused rain to refresh the fields (which explains the etymology of a field that relied on rain water being called a ba’al field). Idolatry was accompanied by public promiscuity (see Yalkut Shimoni 675). We, l’havdil, believe that serving Hashem brings crucial rain to the land (Devarim 11:14) and that Hashem despises promiscuity (Sanhedrin 106a). Therefore, Hoshea proclaimed: "I will make her like a desert and an arid land, and I will have her die from thirst" (2:5). Yet he also said: "I will take her to the desert and appeal to her heart" (ibid.:16). The covenant between Hashem and Bnei Yisrael in the desert could be renewed: "I will betroth you forever ... and you shall know Hashem... and the land will respond with grain, wine, and oil, and they will respond to Jezre’el" (ibid.:21-24). The liberation will come only when they "will respond as in the days of her youth and the day they came up from Egypt ... remove the names of the Ba’alim from her mouth" (ibid.:20).
The prophet is thus telling us that after sinning, the nation will have to leave the Land and go to the desert, instead of exile. This is the going up from the Land, an unfortunate necessity, as service of the Ba’al is inapplicable there. While this could have happened, the nation did not accept Hoshea’s rebuke and needed full exile. May our redemption from that exile continue to develop in Israel.
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)
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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
