INSIGHT 5781 - #15: DIVERSITY AND UNITY

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INSIGHT 5780 - #14: UNITY AND TENSION

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The reference to Binyamin in the Insight should be further developed. It is important to recognize that the Beit HaMikdash [the Temple] was situated in the territory of the tribe of Binyamin. As such, within the context of our discussion, any reference to Binyamin necessarily must include a consideration of the concept of the Beit HaMikdash within the nation. It is thus important to note that the brothers' animosity towards Yosef did not extend to Binyamin; Binyamin was not in conflict with the brothers. In regard to the Kingdoms, however, the tribe of Binyamin did side with the tribe of Yehuda and, as such, was in conflict with the Northern Kingdom. This should not be surprising for one of the goals of Yeravam was to lessen the importance of the Beit HaMikdash within the nation. In a certain way, he was trying for a Jewish unity without the necessary significance of the Temple of Hashem. The connection of Binyamin to Yehuda clearly informs us of the necessity of the concepts tied to the Beit HaMikdash in any true definition of Jewish unity.
RBH 

INSIGHT 5779 - #13: KNOWING THE FUTURE

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Specifically, in regard to both Yitzchak and Yaakov, we should mention that they both obviously recognized that there was a prima facie understanding that a prophecy should not simply be transmitted to another without being instructed to do so by God. On the other hand, this prima facie understanding of confidentiality must also be understood within the general principles of being allowed to assist another if deemed more proper. This further standard of the confidentiality of prophecy must then be understood as demanding more of an investigation of the reasons for disclosure. This must have been the issue before both Yitzchak and Yaakov. Upon this further reflection of the matter before each of them, each arrived at the conclusion each reached. This is not to say that they disagreed on the basic principles.

Insight 5778-14: Balancing Life

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Insight 5777-16: Communication

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As an illustration of this issue, I would like to share this story of the Chafetz Chaim.

In the city in which Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman, a foremost student of the Chafetz Chaim, was the Rav, there was a wealthy man who wanted to meet the Chafetz Chaim. This man asked Rav Elchanan to try and arrange this, which he was happy to do. The man then went to Rodin to spend some time in the company of the Chafetz Chaim.

Upon this man's return to his home, Rav Elchanan asked him all about his trip and what he learned about the Chafetz Chaim. The man replied that, in truth, he was really impressed with the Chafetz Chaim's son for anytime he wanted to speak you could see the struggle within him as whether this would be proper or not. As for the Chafetz Chaim, though, he just talked to everyone without any hesitation. He didn't see any specialness in his behaviour.

Rav Elchanan then asked the man whether, in all the time he was with the Chafetz Chaim and in the all the conversations which he overheard, he ever heard the Chafetz Chaim say anything incorrect. The man thought and replied that he did not. Now, Rav Elchanan said, you understand the true greatness of the Chafetz Chaim: he can communicate with all in a manner that looks absolutely normal but he also, at the same time, maintained the highest ethical standards.

Indeed, Rav Elchanan said, the Chafetz Chaim's son is a great man for he understood the challenge of communication and always tried to do what was right. He, though, was still not the Chafetz Chaim who had internalized in his being the answer to this challenge.

RBH

Insight 5775-14: LIVING IN TWO REALMS

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Study Question

1)

Insight 5774-14: The Human Element

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Study Question

1) If this was the first case of illness, we must really wonder about how everyone responded to it. How did they know what was going to be, specifically that Yaakov was going to die? This question is especially striking in regard to the Anaf Yosef, who presents a view similar to Torah Temima but who states also that this was not the first case of illness but rather the first case of illness leading to death. How would anyone know this until the death of Yaakov -- so why the concern over the illness potentially leading to death? Trying to fit the midrashic explanation into what happened raises many questions.

Insight 5773-15: The Goal and the Process

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Study Question

1) The question exists, upon reading Rav Henkin's words, how modern day Israel fits into this mix. It would seem that the modern return to Zion also demanded of us to fight for what is right rather than simply consider peace above all else.

Insight 5772-13: The Necessity of Honour

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Insight 5771-12: Unified Family

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