Eretz Yisrael

Found 18 Search results

1. Religious Sin, Ethical Sin and the Punishment of Exile

   Prof. Jonathan Grossman

   This article compares the sins of Adam and Cain; and suggests that Adam’s sin is a prototype for religious sin; while Cain’s sin is a prototype for moral sin.

2. Zion Shall Be Redeemed With Justice

   Rabbi Yair Kahn

   A court system and administering justice are basic needs for any society in Eretz Yisrael or abroad. The Torah’s emphasis on Eretz Yisrael in this regard points to an additional significance to the appointment of judges as part of the commandment to settle Eretz Yisrael.

3. Hope and Defeat - Moshe's Supplication

   Rav Yaacov Steinman

   After the victory over Sihon and Og, Moshe beseeches God to allow him to enter Eretz Yisrael, in the hopes that being part of the victory might change his fate. God’s negative answer to Moshe signifies to the nation as a whole that our moral relationship with God will determine the outcome of history and not the winds of fate.

4. Parashat Ekev

   Rabbi Ezra Bick

   Life in Eretz Yisrael can lead to the illusion that one has the power and resources to guarantee one's continued welfare. To prevent that illusion, we are required to remember the affliction of being without a physical basis for food, even when we had food. There is no real basis for existence other than "the utterances of the mouth of God."

5. A Possession Before the Lord (Bamidbar 32:22)

   Rabbi Chanoch Waxman

   The request of Bnei Gad and Reuven positions them outside of the Promised Land, outside of God's plan for the historical future of His people, and even outside of the heritage of Avraham. Moshe’s counter-offer depends on the the loyalty Bnei Gad and Reuven promise their brothers, as well as loyalty to the land of their brothers, and to God.

6. Shema Yisrael - The Goals of Mitzva Observance

   Rabbi Reuven Taragin

   Moshe delivers two parallel speeches over the first eleven chapters of Devarim. Beyond developing links between Mitzva observance and success, the second speech also redefines the man-God relationship forged by this observance. The first speech focuses on fearing God while the second speech focuses on loving Him.

7. Avoiding Another Kadesh Barnea

   Rabbi David Silverberg

   Moshe’s history lesson is designed to avoid a repetition of the sin of the spies. To this end, the conquering of the Emmorite kings is described as premeditated and the tension regarding the Eastern tribes is downplayed. The commentators offer various explanations as to the relationship of the appointing of judges to the sin of the spies.

8. The Tenacity of Yitzhak

   Rabbi Alex Israel | 38 minutes

   Compared to the other forefathers, Yitzchak often seems to be presented as passive. Some say that his lack of originality is crucial for the successful continuity of Abraham’s legacy. But is it really fitting for a forefather to have no real distinctive characteristic of his own? Does this approach give enough credit to Yitzchak? This shiur develops another perspective, one which illuminates Yitzchak’s unique contribution.

9. Tehillim 107 - Yom Haatzmaut

   Rabbi Menachem Leibtag

   In Israel, Yom Ha'zikaron [Memorial Day] and Yom Ha'Atzmaut [Independence Day] are separated by a mere split second. It is precisely this proximity that gives extra meaning to both days. Our awareness that the dedication of those who fell made our independence possible gives us the strength to cope with the sorrow of Yom Ha'Zikaron. At the same time, our awareness of that terrible price, encourages not only to appreciate our joy on Yom Ha’Atzmaut, but also to strive to channel our independence in the proper direction.

        This contrast between sorrow and joy at a time of redemption is reflected in Tehillim 107.  It is the custom in Israel to recite that perek before davening Maariv on Yom Ha’Atzmaut.  The following shiur will analyze the internal structure of Tehillim 107, and will explain why it was chosen to be read on this day.

10. Definitions of Churban - The Comfort of Eternity

    Rabbi David Milston

    תאריך פרסום: תש"ע | |

    From the depths of mourning throughout the difficult times leading to Tisha B'av we can view Parshat Va'etchanan as the ultimate parsha of comfort. By closely examining the message of the parsha and its haftara of Nachamu we can understand the importance of Eretz Yisrael, the nature of our relationship with God, and the meaning of true redemption. 

11. 'Eikha' and the Oral Law

    HaTanakh.com Staff

12. Al Naharot Bavel

    Atara Snowbell | 46 minutes

    Psalms chapter 137 known as "Al Neharot Bavel" is commonly recited during the Nine Days - the period of mourning leading to Tisha B'Av. What are the main messages that lie within this chapter? By closely examining the words and imagery, we can learn about the danger in the comforts of exile, as well as the important role that the Land of Israel and, more specifically, Jerusalem, play in the poet's relationship with God. 

13. Material Wealth and Its Dangers

    Rabbi Elchanan Samet

    Both the beginnings of Parshat Va'etchanan and Parshat Ekev begin with Moshe's speech to Am Yisrael regarding their entrance into the Land of Israel. Is Moshe repeating himself, or is there a crucial difference between the two speeches?

14. The Exile in Egypt and the Connection to Eretz Yisrael

    Hanan Porat

15. Bechukotai: Coming Home

    Rabbi Jay Kelman

16. The Teshuva Revolution

    Part 2

    Rabbi Tzvi Sinensky

    Consistent with the transition detailed from a Temple-based Judaism to a Torah-centered lifestyle, the emphasis in this chapter is decidedly not on the Temple service. Many, if not all, of the practices omitted in this chapter bear significant connections to the Temple service. Ezra’s revolution, which seeks to reimagine Jewish life in the aftermath of the destruction of the First Commonwealth, envisions an observance of the holidays that does not revolve around the sacrificial service.

    Putting Esther and Nehemya together, it appears that repairing the Jewish People’s social fabric was a major point of emphasis for both post-exilic communities. It is almost as if Tanakh implies that Jews of Persia and Israel sought to “undo” the sins of previous generations, in which the wealthy trampled upon the poor and there were irreparable divisions between the different classes of society. Both Esther and Nehemya worked to create greater unity by emphasizing the importance of generosity at times of communal celebration, so that no one would feel excluded.

    The extraordinary moment of solidarity around the celebration of Sukkot – with all the difficulties it raises regarding contemporary observance of that holiday - coupled with the dramatic impact of the Torah reading ceremony just a few days earlier, combines to make the events of Nehemya chapter eight some of the most climactic known to biblical history.

17. Rashi

    Part 5 - The Moral and Educational Philosophy of Rashi (III - Conclusion)

    Dr. Avigail Rock

    Rashi has a great affection not only for the ancestors of the Jewish people, but for Israel as a nation as well, and he succeeds in finding points in their favor even when their sins are spelled out in the verse.

    Rashi attributes many great qualities to the Land of Israel, whether physical or spiritual, and he believes that the Land of Israel has higher spiritual standards than other lands.

    A number of expressions and maxims have become a treasured part of the Hebrew language because of Rashi’s commentary. Rashi did not compose these expressions, but the fact that Rashi uses these aphorisms has made them extremely popular.

18. Ramban

    Part 2

    Dr. Avigail Rock

    This lesson is dedicated to a number of philosophical topics that recur throughout the Ramban’s commentary on the Torah.

    Maaseh Avot Siman Lebanim – The events that transpire with the forefathers is an omen for the children.

    This historical view of the Ramban is of great significance, not just in the field of exegesis, but also because it has such a clear polemical anti-Christian aim. Indeed there is an allusion to the future in the stories of the forefathers, but the allusion is for Israel’s future — what is decreed upon their seed — but not for others, who are not of their seed.

    The Superiority of the Land of Israel

    The superiority of the Land of Israel predates Avraham and to the People of Israel. The overturning of Sodom was due to the superiority of the Land of Israel. As opposed to the other lands of the worlds that are managed by angelic representatives of God, the Land of Israel is managed by God directly.

    The main significance of the fulfillment of commandments is in the Land of Israel.

    Nissayon – Test

    The test is designed to serve not the Tester, God, but rather the one who is being tested. The nissayon in the Torah is an opportunity which is provided for the righteous to apply in practice their dedication to God and to earn a reward for this. In this way, they will receive a reward not only for their potential dedication, but for their actual dedication as is described with regard to Akeidat Yitzhak and the mann.