by Rav Netanel Yosifun, yeshiva.co, translated by Hillel Fendel
Ever since the dawn of time, people have pursued the goal of eternal life. The ancient Egyptians, for example, mummified their bodies, in the belief that this would grant them continuity from one world to another. Even today, many contribute to various Torah or kindness organizations in order to memorialize their loved ones.
By Rav Zalman Baruch Melamed, yeshiva.co, translated by Hillel Fendel
by Rav Zalman Baruch Melamed, yeshiva.co, translated by Hillel Fendel
This week's Torah reading of Mishpatim appears to be a major departure from the stories of our Patriarchs and the stories of Divine miracles that we have read until now, in that it is largely a list of civil laws: Who is responsible for which damages under what circumstances, who pays if one ox gores another, how much a thief must compensate his victim, lost objects, majority rule, milk and meat, and much more. One of the questions we must ask is: Why did the Torah make rules for civil law in certain areas, and not leave them up to the will of the people in each society?
Adapted by Hillel Fendel from an article by Rav Moshe Tzuriel, yeshiva.co
The Torah threatens punishment for idol-worshipers that is only 1/500th of the reward that the righteous will receive: "Concerning My enemies, I keep in mind the fathers' sins for their descendants, [only] to the 3rd and 4th generations. But for those who love Me and keep My commandments, I show love for [at least two] thousands of generations" (Sh'mot 20,5-6). The punishment is for four generations, and the reward for 2,000 generations.
But the question we would like to address is: Why are the righteous termed both "those who love Me" and "those who keep My commandments?" Is not one enough?
by Rav Zalman Baruch Melamed, translated by Hillel Fendel
Let us take a faith-based look at our generation, through the prism of the teachings of the Land of Israel's first modern-day chief rabbi, Rav Kook.
Our Sages taught us that in the generation of the Footsteps of the Mashiah (Ivketa d'meshicha), i.e., when the Mashiah son of David is to come, there will be difficult tribulations of both a spiritual and physical nature. The Talmud depicts the situation as follows:
R. Yocḥanan says: In the generation of the arrival of Mashiah Ben David, Torah scholars decrease, and the eyes of the others fail with sorrow and grief, and troubles increase, and harsh decrees are renewed; before the first one passes, the second one quickly comes…
By Rav Yaakov Ariel, yeshiva.co, translated by Hillel Fendel
