MainOpEds ![]() Tetzave: The menorah of the Beit Hamikdash enlightens the worldLight not only allows us to see and avoid walking into things or to read; it allows us to accurately perceive reality.![]() Eretz Yisrael, the center of the worldJust as the environment for a plant must include the proper nutrients and climate, so it is with man’s location on the various continents and in relation to all tangible things. In Eretz Yisrael there is equilibrium on many levels.![]() Honoring parents and Eretz YisraelWhat is the connection between the Land of Israel and honoring one's parents? Two important answers.![]() As if the land were given to you todayAn Israelite cannot live in the Land without absolute love for her, without rejoicing in being within her.![]() The nunber of tzadikim in the land of IsraelThere are always at least forty-five tzadikim who maintain the world, says the Gemara. How many of them are in Israel and whaat does that mean|?![]() Vayechi The importance of burial within the Land of IsraelWhy was it so important to our father Yaakov to be buried specifically within Eretz Yisrael?![]() MIketz: Everything that happened to Joseph happened to ZionA fascinating look at the Hand of G-d in history.![]() A portion in Eretz Yisrael is like a portion of the World to ComeDvar Torah written by:Yehuda Gold, presented by:Yedidya Solomon.![]() The angels of Eretz YisraelWhat is unique about the angels of the Eretz Yisrael (Land of Israel)? Two answers which have a special connection to our lives today.![]() Eretz Yisrael: The place of the Shechina and of blessingInheriting the Land is the condition for the Shechina resting upon the Jewish people.![]() The virtue of burial in Eretz YisraelWhy do people want to be buried in the Holy Land?![]() Was Eretz Yisrael flooded during the Deluge?The significance of the Land of Israel is expressed by what happened in the Flood. Eretz Yisrael was not the same as the rest of the world.![]() Why Moshe Rabbeinu will decline to lead Birkat HamazonIt is clear that there is a mitzva to settle the Land and live within her, but can this mitzva be fulfilled in death?![]() Haazinu: The special quality of Moses' visionMoshe himself was unable to enter the Land, but his vision of it conveyed an aspect of his continued leadership even after his death, which helped drive the nation’s full connection to the sanctity of the Land.![]() Nitzavim: Mutual responsibility in Eretz YisraelA most timely message for all of us and our elected leaders: May it be God’s will that we realize our mutual responsibility within Eretz Yisrael, being responsible one for another out of true love friendship and peace.![]() Remembering the Land brings compassion for Am YisraelThe meaning of “remembrance” ("זכרון") in the Torah is broad and varied. Since the concept of forgetting cannot apply to the Master of the Universe, the use of remembrance in connection with God is merely a simile.![]() One who lives in Eretz Yisrael is considered as having a G-dWhy does the Gemara say that living in the Holy Land or not living there affects whether one has a God or is considered an idol worshipper?![]() Success in War: Our efforts plus merits of Avot, prayer and TorahThoughts for Parashat Re’eh presented and written by young adult students in Religious Zionist yeshivas.![]() Zion will be redeemed by justice, her repentant ones by righteousnessWhat do those two ways of reaching Redemption, prophesied by Isaiah, mean for us?![]() Do not corrupt the landWhen God brought Am Yisrael to Eretz Yisrael, it was in order to elevate and uplift us.![]() For G-d and for Am YisraelTorah from young students at Religious Zionist yeshivas. Three questions whose answers explain the behavior and statements of the tribes who settled east of the Jordan River.![]() Mourning and rejoicing with JerusalemOnly one for whom Jerusalem is genuinely lacking, who sincerely anticipates her being rebuilt, is able to perceive the subtle signs of light within the darkness of exile which indicate the arrival of redemption![]() The Portion of the LeviitesWhy did the Levites not receive a portion in the inheritance of Eretz Yisrael and in the spoils of war like their brethren? Why take from them the abiity to fulfill the commandment to settle Eretz Yisrael while they are obligated to keep the others?![]() Rebellion against Eretz YisraelThe spies told the truth as they saw it, so why were the people punished so severely?![]() The Kotzkzer, Rabbi Soloveitchik and Israel's going out to warThe words of the Kotzker, his grandson Shem Mishmuel, Rabbi Soloveitchik and the medieval commentary Ibn Ezra build a picture of how the Jewish people must go to war and rejoice at victory.![]() Mikdash and MishkanWhat is the difference between the Beit HaMikdash and Mishkan? Are their functions identical, or perhaps there are distinctions between the two?![]() As if the land were given to you todayTorah cannot be achieved without effort and without investing work; there are no shortcuts. This is equally true for Eretz Yisrael.![]() To a land flowing with milk and honeyThis week's Dvar Torah is written byYehuda Gold, presented by:Yedidya Solomon.![]() The importance of burial within the Land of IsraelBefore his death, Yaakov/Israel insisted that his son Yoseph swear to bury him in Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel), not in Egypt. Why was that important to him - and important to so many Jews through the ages?![]() The fruits of Eretz YisraelWhy did Moshe our teacher yearn to enter Eretz Yisrael? Did he need to eat of its fruits or satisfy himself from its bounty?![]() Eretz Yisrael: the place of the Shechina and of BlessingDoes Israel’s physical condition change when they are in exile?![]() Vayera: The importance of the altar for the worldUniversal or particular? What is the significance of the "mizbeach" - the altar where offerings are presented to Hashem?![]() A Psalm of thanksThe Gemara [Ketubot 112a] relates that Rabbi Abba would kiss the stones of Akko, demonstrating the depth of his connection to the Land of Israel, and even to the lowest dimensions of the Land. ![]() The Torah is not a science book - why start with Creation?View a new Torah site that was put on the web just in time for the new cycle of Torah readings and features the Torah thought of promising young scholars in the Religious Zionist yeshiva world. |