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Rashi explains that once the practice of worship with a single standing stone (matzevah) was taken over by idol worshippers it became unfit for use by Israel even in the service of the one God. An additional explanation is offered by Rav S.R. Hirsch. He points out that changing attitudes towards a matzevah versus a mizbeach may have been a function of the historical period involved. Clearly, the era of the avot, constitutes the formative period of the nation of Israel, the inspired story of the development of the larger than life individuals who were not only our biological forbears but their composite personalities, the result of the many trials and challenges they experienced, represented the potential of every Jew since. In their day, the overall goal was to develop the individual personality in terms of its relationships within the family as well as its relations to outsiders and above all to God. Therefore to worship God by bringing libations on a
single standing stone was deemed quite appropriate as it symbolized the goal of that period, to develop the single perfected individual who stands in humble and obedient service to God.
After the Exodus, however, when the Bnai Yisroel had developed into a nation the appropriate platform for offerings to God becomes the mizbeach, an altar made of many stones. No longer is the perfection of the individual the highest goal, but rather the development of the collective, the nation, the amalgam of different personalities subordinating their individual interest for the common good, orchestrating their different talents to serve the needs of the people. This is graphically symbolized by the mizbeach whose basic structure depends entirely upon the cooperation of the individual components.
There is an important lesson here particularly for those of us still living in the Diaspora where one s highest goal as a Jew seems to be the production of the most learned and pious individual possible. The end goal of all of the many institutions we build and maintain in the Diaspora is precisely that and that alone for these collectives as such are partial and temporary. After 60 years of the restored Jewish State in Eretz Yisroel it should be clear that the matzevah, the single great one no longer represents Judaism s highest goal. Rather the challenge of our time is to build a sovereign Jewish collective that could truly be a light to the nations . The only appropriate form of worship today is the mizbeach, for each individual Jew to become part of the great miracle unfolding in our day. You wish your son to become the next godol hadar? By all means. But do it within the context of the new Jewish reality, while living in Israel.
Igrot Hare’aya Excitement over a Friend’s New Newspaper – #319
Date and Place: 4 Menachem Av 5670 (1910), Rechovot
Igrot Hare’aya Excitement over a Friend’s New Newspaper – #319
Date and Place: 4 Menachem Av 5670 (1910), Rechovot
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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
