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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
R. Meir b"r Yechezkel Shraga Brachfeld
This rational approach of recognizing the Creator through his creation is the one followed by Rabbi Bachya ibn Paquda in his classic work, "Duties of the Heart." He asks, "Is it possible that ink spill out onto a piece of paper and coincidentally form letters, words, sentences, and an entire composition? Is such a thing conceivable? No. If we find a piece of paper on which contains a composition, we are certain that somebody wrote it. Similarly, when we see a table, it is not reasonable to assume that a few boards coincidentally fell onto one another, stuck together, and formed a table. When one sees a table, it is clear and undeniable that somebody made it. Furthermore, according to the quality of the table, one is able to determine the proficiency of the carpenter.
If, then, simple works like these cannot be said to have coincidentally created themselves, how much more inconceivable is it to imagine the entire world, with all of its intricate design, coincidentally creating itself. Rather, the world itself serves as evidence of a Creator: "The heavens declare the glory God, the skies proclaim His handiwork" (Psalms 19:2). The skies, by their mere existence, evidence their Creator. And because our universe is the most incredible of all creations, we may conclude that its architect is also the wisest of all Creators.
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
1 - 1. Belief in God: From Design
2 - 2. Belief in God: Eyewitness Account
3 - 3. Good Intentions, Good Deeds
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The Sages teach that God created our present world with one letter of the alphabet - the Hebrew letter "Heh;" the World to Come, with the letter "Yod." The intention of this metaphor is to teach us with what extreme ease God created our world. With the smallest amount effort one could imagine. The letter "Heh" is the easiest of all letters to pronounce; it is, in fact, practically silent. This great and wondrous creation which we are so impressed by, from the point of view of God and in light of His infinite ability, amounts to very little. If a person bases his faith in God on the evidence of the creation alone, his faith in God remains quite limited. Though one stands in awe of God's extraordinary creation and looks upon the heavens, as if in keeping with the verse: "Lift up your eyes to the stars, and see, Who has created these?" (Isaiah 40, 26), still, this ephemeral world of ours is nothing when viewed in light of the true ability of God.
It is not enough, then, to be satisfied with recognizing the Creator through His creation. Faith must be founded upon something even loftier that this. This, then, will serve as the focus of our next discussion.
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)
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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
