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Pluralism is a watchword today in politics, religion, social behavior and basic standards of human behavior. I am okay and you are okay. We are all okay. But deep down in our hearts and in the recess of our consciences we are aware that is a false panacea to all of our personal and social ills. We are not all okay and not all ideas and policies are wise, just and productive. There is far too much noise and cacophony of sound in the Jewish world today. Every offbeat idea and person is granted a serious hearing in our media. In fact, the more offbeat and obviously discredited the person, organization or idea is the greater the media coverage granted to it will be. In truth, much of what we see happening before us only confirms the ludicrous fact that the inmates are running the asylum. New forms of Judaism, of worship, of peaceniks, new humanitarians and new philosophies abound and receive serious attention. Yet they are all blowing in the wind. Extra ears, at least four of them, are required to be able to deal with these never ending new explosions of dissonance. The Jewish world is in danger of pluralising itself out of business completely. Not every idea is worthy of publication nor is every extremist non-conformist or iconoclast worthy of respect and consideration. We have only two ears and that usually suffices for all emergencies and daily life.
There was a time when corruption, infidelity and really bad behavior always brought an end to public careers. Not so today. There was a time when previously failed policies were discarded and mistakes were not repeated just for the sake of the appearance of doing something and being proactive. Again, this is not the case today. We are so jaded by all of the ideas, organizations and political flim-flam that surround us that the public is now so apathetic and helpless that it seems to care little about anything - even about the life and death issues that confront us. The media contributes to this sorry state by searching only for the sensational and offbeat to publicize. The public is bombarded by so many conflicting theories and policies, most of them wrongheaded if not downright dangerous and treasonous, that it is at a loss to hear anything reasonable and react to it properly. Even four ears are insufficient in our present society to absorb everything that is constantly being thrown at us. There are now technical means of eliminating background noise and sharpening sounds that we wish to hear. Would that such technology would be available for all of the social and political noises that surround us. We hear too much and are terribly confused and that accounts for the public apathy and feeling of defeatism that permeates our society. Not everyone is right and not every idea and policy is correct and productive. We do not have enough ears for all of that.
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
