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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
The root of tzedek (justness) arises no less than four times in the short portion that discusses the mitzva to appoint judges (Devarim 16:18-20). The pursuit of justice must be the guiding light of the judicial system of the Jewish nation. In this light, we will try to analyze the meaning of the pasuk, "tzedek tzedek tirdof" (pursue justice justice). Chazal advance several explanations. Reish Lakish (see Sanhedrin 32b), a first generation Amora in Eretz Yisrael, derives from here that one should employ his developed common sense and not rely only on set principles in a case of a din merumeh. This is a case where there is a serious concern that behind the smooth explanations and testimonies, a hoax is going on.
Rav Ashi, from the last generation of Babylonian Amoraim, learned the pasuk differently. The stress on justice obligates the dayan to not rule based on the strict law in a case where it will cause damage to both sides. Rather in such cases, one should employ p’shara (compromise). According to both of these explanations, the double language limits the scope of the strict principles. In other words, sometimes the standard rules of justice should be avoided. Both also understand the pasuk as referring to the judge.
Rabbanan, on the other hand, explain that it is the litigants who are being addressed. They should do everything possible to ensure that the judgment that they receive will be of a high quality. If the most expert dayanim are far away, they should still consider going to the place where the expert judges sit. This is particularly pertinent for the defendant, who is the one who normally determines where the case will be heard. Ibn Ezra also directs the imperative at the litigants. Justice is doubled to signify that one should go after justice whether it is to win or to lose, to go as often as is necessary, or just to strengthen the matter. The Ramban says that the language is doubled specifically so that it can refer both to the dayanim and to the litigants.
During times, which always seem to abound, when maintaining our hold on the Land and our security is a challenge, we should remember the following: "‘In order that you shall live and inherit the Land’- the appointment of judges is worthwhile to give life to Israel, to have them inhabit the Land, and to have them not fall to the sword, as it says, ‘so that you should live’" (Yalkut Shimoni, Shoftim 907).
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The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
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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.
