by Rabbi Eliezer Melamed
Judea and Samaria or the Negev Question: The mitzvah to settle the Land of Israel relates to all of the land. With all due respect, Rabbi, why do you specifically encourage settling Judea and Samaria? Answer: Indeed, the mitzvah of settling the Land of Israel exists in all of the borders of the land. This … Read more
Comfort in the Purchase of the ‘Cave of the Patriarchs’ After successfully passing the trial of the ‘Akeda’ (the binding of Isaac), Abraham our forefather returned home and had to cope with another trial. Sarah our foremother, Abraham’s loyal companion, who accompanied him on all his journeys, experiencing together the great revelations — and also … Read more
The Elections in America Question: We are immigrants to Israel from America. Should we make an effort to participate in the upcoming elections for the U.S. Senate and Congress in order to strengthen candidates who oppose the policies of President Barak Obama? Is it ethical for us, who live in Israel, to vote according to … Read more
Now and then, people question the importance of the Land of Israel, as if to imply that the settlers are overly occupied with this mitzvah and exaggerate its importance. True, indeed, one must be careful that the pursuit of a specific mitzvah does not result in the weakening of other mitzvoth. At the same time, … Read more
On the 13th of Tishrei, I merited coming full-circle in two happy occasions. Twenty years ago, standing by the side of the open grave of our friend, Yaakov Parag, may God avenge his blood, I tearfully spoke of how he had approached me, in the last week of his life, pleading that I interrupt my … Read more
The Reason for the Commandment to Eat on Yom Kippur Eve It is a Mitzvah to eat on the eve of Yom Kippur and to increase the amount one normally consumes (Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chaim 604:1). Seemingly, it would appear to be more appropriate to fill oneself with fear and trembling than food. What reason … Read more
Awe and Joy With a sense of awe and joy should we approach the days of repentance, the days where we will stand before Hashem our God, in whose hand rests the soul of every living creature, to receive from Him life for the coming year. Knowing that the blessing God grants us for the … Read more
Awe and Joy With a sense of awe and joy should we approach the days of repentance, the days where we will stand before Hashem our God, in whose hand rests the soul of every living creature, to receive from Him life for the coming year. Knowing that the blessing God grants us for the … Read more
Day’s of Awe The Day’s of Awe are quickly arriving. Day’s of self-examination for all we have done in the past, and what will happen to us in the future. This self-criticism is awesome and penetrating: over wasted time that could have been spent learning Torah; over chances to express love between a husband and … Read more
Inside the General Staff The Police announced that the Major- Generals of the I.D.F. are not suspected of forging the ‘Galant document’, bringing a sigh of relief to many officials in the Defense department. In practice, however, it was revealed that the situation within the General Staff is bleak. The Defense Minister is in deep … Read more