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The Only Solution to Israel's Problems
During the period of the "Pillar of Cloud" (Cheshvan 5773) army operation, when rockets from Gaza were aimed at Gush Dan and Jerusalem for the first time, HaRav Moshe Shapiro zt"l gave a unique address, explaining how, according to the teachings of Chazal, we are under the rule of Yishmoel at this very point in time.
He said, among other things:
It appears, and I refrain from going into this too deeply, that even common sense and normal circumstances show that we find ourselves in an unsolvable dilemma. A 'solution,' according to several inverted commas which we have experienced, can be used once or twice, but it is not a real solution.
However, any alternate solution in which we can imagine the possibility of sitting and discussing, coming to terms, is merely an insult to the intelligence of a ten-year-old boy. This is all nonsense. The Creator has placed us in the problematic situation of a stalemate.
To be sure, I am talking about a resolution in natural ways of the kind that the world is wont to arrive at. The power of intimidation, of even stronger intimidation... Of more power and even more power... But again, this is totally futile.
America has not yet arrived at the very "obvious" realization that not the president, but the very people, need to be changed. The "intelligent" populace is doing everything to prove that the 75 million voters for Trump are simply stupid. In a study which several major universities made, the researchers studied the knowledge of the potential voters, asking them factual question about inflation, immigration and economy, only to find that most of them were ignorant of such basic issues grounded on facts, while those who supported Harris were intelligently informed on those subjects.
In another survey taken after the elections, the attention level which the voters accorded to political news, were mainly people who had voted for Harris. Those who claimed to attribute moderately significant importance, were those who had supported Harris while those who did not place much importance on political news voted mainly for Trump. Those who ignored political news altogether were primarily voters for Trump. In other words, the supporters of Trump were hardly aware of political issues.
This was originally published in 2006.
Kever Rochel: Will It Always Be Accessible?
Access to Kever Rochel is important to us. In order for us to fully comprehend the importance today, we must review pesukim and midroshim that reveal its kedusha. In particular, the recent yahrtzeit of Rochel Imeinu on the eleventh of MarCheshvan makes this topic even more meaningful to us.
Rochel Imeinu's yahrtzeit is observed as a day of tefillah at her grave and thousands of people arrive on this day to daven. Klal Yisroel prays to Hashem that in response to Rochel mevako al baneha they should merit the final yeshua, and `her children will return to their borders.'
On The Road To Efras — This is Beis Lechem
From the Jaffa Gate in Yerushalaim, a road continues in the southerly direction. Following this road, one passes near the railway station, the Allenby military barracks and the German colony at Emek Refaim where some claim Dovid Hamelech killed Golias.
One then passes through Talpiot and Mekor Chaim. After this, several monasteries and Moslem places of worship are seen which explain the Palestinian desire to acquire this region.
Next one enters the wilderness of Judea stretching to the east with its olive groves and fig trees. This road, called Derech Beis Lechem seems to continue as any other major traffic artery, leading from Yerushalaim to Chevron. But then all at once, in the midst of this highway, the Bethlehem Bazaar is seen. Arab men and youth are seen marketing fruit, rugs and handiwork on the street. Wheelbarrows filled with watermelons, and pushcarts piled up with long pita breads are moving towards their destinations.
And there, on the right side of this highway, right in the middle of it all, Kever Rochel Imeinu is seen. There, in Bethlehem, Beis Lechem, the home of Elimelech and Naomi, in the midst of all the traffic and thoroughfare, right on the road itself. This is exactly how Hashem Yisborach wanted it to be: right on the road itself.
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Opinion & Comment
"For I Am Hashem Your Healer"
Telolei Oros presents sources relating to doctors and patients, the permission that is given to the doctor to heal and to the patient to see the doctor, the proper effort we should make in medical matters, the mitzvah of visiting the sick, the prayers of the sick, and more. May it be Hashem's will that the verse be fulfilled in us: "The entire malady that I inflicted upon Egypt I will not inflict upon you, for I am Hashem your Healer" (Shemos 15:26).
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"The Ramban wrote in Parshas Bechukosai (Vayikra 26:11) that the zealous and holy remnant in Hashem's service do not use doctors. However, this is the status of those on an elevated level, such as Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai and his colleagues.
"In Pesochim (6), in the Mishnah, it states that Chizkiyohu Hamelech hid the Sefer Rufuos. Rashi explains that he did so because the people were not humbled when they became ill. Rather, they were cured immediately.
"In Peirush HaMishnayos the Rambam brings an explanation that he heard, that Shlomo Hamelech wrote the Sefer Refuos, and when anyone became sick he just did as was written in that Book and was cured. When Chizkiyohu saw that people were not relying on Hashem, blessed be He, he took it away and hid it.
"The Rambam disagrees with this explanation. It is inconceivable to take away a cure from a person, just as it is inconceivable to take away his sustenance!
"However, despite this difficulty it seems that the explanation the Rambam received is the one that was accepted traditionally.
Opinion & Comment
Part Five: Creation at Work
Among the many brochos that Chazal included in the marriage ceremony is the brochoh of yotzer ho'odom. It refers to the formation of man. It is very significant that Chazal chose to call attention to our Divine creation when we marry instead of when we are born.
Marriage takes place many years, even decades, after we are born. Chazal deemed marriage to be the most appropriate time to express our gratitude to Hashem Yisborach for our creation. However, how does it relate to marriage?
And why, during the course of the seven brochos that we recite under the chuppah, is the brochoh of yotzer ho'odom repeated?
Also, according to some commentaries the reason we say the brochoh of yotzer ho'odom twice under the chuppah is in order to recall the formation of Chavah. The first brochoh corresponds to formation of Odom and the second brochoh corresponds to the formation of Chavah.
Why does each require a separate brochoh?
In order to answer, we must consider carefully the purpose of the separate formation of Odom Horishon, and the purpose of the separate formation of Chavah.
The Yalkut Shimoni (Parshas Bereishis 2, simon 24) describes the formation of Chavah from Odom. Chazal teach us about how Hashem considered many possibilities before deciding which part Chavah was to come from; the head, the eye, the ear, the mouth, the heart, the hand and the foot.
For various reasons, Hashem ultimately decided to form Chavah from Odom's side. This was in order that she should be intrinsically modest. The arms usually cover the sides. Therefore, of all the organs to choose from, Odom's side most properly embodied the essence of Chavah's character.
Modesty is much more than a way to dress and a manner of conduct. The trait of tznius is the core of a woman's personality and is expressed in all facets of her life. Tznius is perfectly suited to helping the woman fulfill her task in life. Tznius is a perfect complement for the man too.
Tznius is so precious that it is "befitting" even the Shechinoh. The Midrash Tanchuma, (Parshas Bamidbar 3) relates that with the inauguration of the Mishkan, HaKodosh Boruch Hu praised the virtue of tznius. With the Mishkan complete, Hashem would now speak with Moshe Rabbenu within the privacy of the Mishkan.
The trait of tznius is essential to marriage - for husbands and for wives. It is essential to their purpose and goal in life. It is essential for life. Hashem created women with the innate ability to be content within the home. This gives a strong spiritual foundation to the home, which in turn enables the man to fulfill his task.
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