- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayigash
3081
Part of the problem, in my opinion, is that in the dispute with Yosef and the brothers, one side -Yosef - was eventually right and the other side - the brothers - seemingly wrong and guilty. This feeling of guilt and being proven wrong only provokes a greater defensive attitude and a determination not to abandon the blind self-justification that led originally to the divisive incident itself. Contrast this with the disagreements of Beit Shamai and Beit Hillel, numerous and contentious (312 of them) as they were, that never led to any sort of breakup within the society of Israel. There both sides were right, even though as a practical matter, the opinions of Beit Hillel were in the main followed in halachic practice. The Talmud proclaimed that the opinions of both groups were "the words of the living God." By avoiding unnecessary condemnation of Beit Shamai, even though its opinions were not to be adopted and practically implemented, the Talmud guaranteed the harmony of the rabbis and of Jewish society. Within the framework of halacha and tradition there are many varying opinions. Not all of them can be given equal weight and followed but none of them should be the basis of personal dispute and vilification. The lessons of Yosef and his brothers and their controversy should remain for us as a guide in our times and difficulties as well.

Parashat Hashavua: A Yeshiva and a Community Go Together
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | kislev 5785

Stop, Look..…and Listen!
Rabbi Stewart Weiss | Tevet 9 5781

The Birth of Forgiveness
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks | Tevet 5 5782

Is burial in israel meritorious for all?
Rabbi Stewart Weiss | 14 Shvat 5784

Chalav Yisrael and Powdered Milk
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5772

Mourning Customs During the Omer
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5764

Pondering Passover
Part 1
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Adar 5761

The Special Mitzvah of Reciting Hallel
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff

Tolerance but Not at All Costs
Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 73
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Iyar 5785

Parashat Hashavua: More Mila than Brit?
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Iyar 5785

The Yom HaZIKARON SIREN- EVERY ARROW NEEDS A HEAD!
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Iyar 5785
