Beit Midrash

What Was the Point of the Mechonot?

The Holy Ark: Religious Symbol or National Symbol?

...The first utensil that Moshe Rabbeinu was commanded to prepare for the Mishkan was the Holy Ark (Aron), in which the Two Tablets were to be placed. That it was first indicates its importance and central role in the dwelling of the Divine Presence in the Mishkan. And in fact, we find that the very presence of the Aron in the Tabernacle and, later, in the Holy Temple, is what bestowed upon them their special status...

Interactions between Yehuda and Yosef over the Generations Part IV

The attribute of kingdom is the last among seven important characteristics in Jewish thought.

Interactions between Yehuda and Yosef over the Generations - Part III

Interactions between Yehuda and Yosef over the Generations - Part II

Interactions between Yehuda and Yosef over the Generations

In Sefer Bereishit, the struggle for leadership is between the half-brothers Yosef and Yehuda. Shemot starts with a new chapter in the national story, as Egypt goes from a king who was very close to Yosef to one who did not recall Yosef.

“Pakod Yifkod” – On Leadership and a Jewish State

Pakod tells us we need mefakdim (officers) and mefakdim of mefakdim. Yosef taught his brothers that liberation is not to solve the problems of individuals. Liberation of only the ideal members of society is not liberation

Monotheism Even in Ancient Egypt!

Before Yaakov Avinu (Patriarch Jacob) leaves the Holy Land for the last time and descends to Egypt with his family, G-d appears to him "in the visions of the night [and says to him]: Yaakov, Yaakov… I am the Lord, the G-d of your father; do not fear to descend to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there. I will descend with you to Egypt, and I will certainly raise you up, and Yosef will place his hand on your eyes" (B'reshit 46,2-4). The final phrase in that verse is somewhat enigmatic, and has been explained in various ways...

On the Light of Hanuka and Israeli Independence

Are the Hanukah miracles of 2,000 years ago relevant to our generation? The answer is: Yes, more than ever before! Why is that? Let us begin the explanation at the beginning – from the first book of the Pentateuch...

The Connection between Divine Presence and a Straight Angle

The National Significance of Intergenerational Connection

The whole world will recognize the special status that Avraham and Yitzchak established

How to Find Eretz Yisrael?

The Torah does not tell us how Avraham (then, Avram) knew where to go: north, south, east, or west?

Preparing the Way for the Land of Israel

This week's Torah portion of Noah takes us up to (and past) the birth of Avraham Avinu, in the year 1948 after Creation – and nary a word seems to be mentioned about the Land of Israel throughout these almost two millennia! Is this not very strange, considering that the Foundation Stone – Even HaShtiyah – from where the world was actually created, is located in the Land, on what later became the Temple Mount? The longed-for Garden of Eden, too, is located in our Holy Land. How could the Land play such a minor role in the first 2,000 years of human history?

Parashat Hashavua: Why Specifically in Eretz Yisrael?

The desired Garden of Eden is here in Yerushalayim..

It Can’t Be?! It is Happening!

Our Haftarah speaks in glowing terms (literally) about the coming of Mashiach

Is there a Way to Permit Ribbit (Usury)?

The Torah relates to loans as an act of chesed and demands of all who can to lend to those in need, as part of a Jewish life, which is based on charity and justice.

Kim Li? Litigation and Justice Must Go Hand and Hand

How do we implement principles from this week's Parsha in our beit din network, “Eretz Hemdah- Gazit”?

National Repentance - Returning to the Land

That is, the dispersed and exiled nation will arouse to general repentance and will seek to return to the Holy Land. The next stage is that G-d will ingather them together in the Land, no matter how far and wide they are dispersed. This will be a unique display of Divine providence and aid for the ingathering of the Land's children in joy. And then will come the final stage...

To what extent are we supposed to pray for our needs?

On Tefilla – part III

We will continue to delve into the matter of tefilla as it is practiced within a community of believers in Hashem. In that framework, let us ask: To what extent are we supposed to pray for our needs and to what extent are we to make practical efforts toward them? Also, where does belief in Hashem's providence fit in?

How to Mend Tears to Reach Unity

A harsh conflict, which reached its apex with the sale of Yosef, split the family of Yaakov. Between the two leaders of their respective mothers’ parts of the family, Yehuda and Yosef.