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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
The Torah relates the great public mourning that accompanied the death of Moshe’s brother and partner, Aharon (Bamidbar 20: 28-29). However, we need Chazal’s insight to appreciate the extent of the upheaval his death caused. From the proximity of the relevant p’sukim, they deduce that with Aharon’s death, the special divine clouds disappeared, which, in turn, invited the Canaanites of Arad to attack (Ta’anit 9a).
The Yerushalmi (Yoma 1, 1) goes a step further. When tracing the order of Bnei Yisrael’s travels in the desert, we see that after Aharon’s death, they turn up in places they had previously been mentioned to have gone through several encampments before (see Devarim 10:6-7). This is coupled with a look at the families that are mentioned and are missing respectively from different genealogies of the time. Chazal concluded that in the panic after Aharon’s death, a significant portion of Bnei Yisrael reversed their steps with the intention of returning to Egypt and were pursued by people from the tribe of Levi. They met in civil battle in Moseira, and whole families from each side were decimated.
What lesson can we learn from this little-known crisis in Bnei Yisrael? One lesson for all generations is to not use one’s lack of satisfaction with the quality or accomplishments of the generation’s leader as an excuse for the nation’s behavior. Don’t think that if we only had a leader like Moshe, Aharon, and Shmuel that we would all fall into line. They too had to fight opposition and lack of stability, whose source was from within the nation. Such leaders were not handed things on a silver platter but had to prove their qualities in the face of adversity. They had to withstand a fragmented society that included people on a variety of levels of belief. The need to choose well, within the realm of free will, is always present.
The second lesson is to the leaders, who might be tempted to blame their troubles on the people and lose sight of their own failures. Leadership is a heavy yoke, which always raises challenges. Only someone who is willing to give of himself selflessly, stressing the people’s needs and ignoring his own, can join the likes of the great historical leaders about whom we have learned. May we merit such leaders soon.
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
