Last week, I asked a powerful question which received a lot of great answers in the comment section. Today, I want to give my own answer (inspired by what I have learned from my Rabbis).
If you would like to re-read the question, please click here. Here is a short summary:
We know that the Torah, as derived in the Gemara, says that any person who goes over a negative commandment should receive the punishement of Makkot. One of the exceptions to this rule is that of the Lav Hanitak LeAsseh. We know that the Ramban says that teshuva is a positive commandment from the Torah. If this is the case, and Teshuva is the repentance from one’s sins, then all negative commandments are Lav Hanitak LeAsseh, the Asseh being doing Teshuvah. If this is the case, then we can never, even conceptually, receive the punishment of Makkot! This makes no sense since it is mandated in the Torah!
My answer goes to the core of the definition of Teshuva. Through this question, I think we can understand the deeper meaning of what Teshuva really is, especially through the perspective of Rav Avraham HaKohen Kook. I joked around with one of my friends explaining that this question proves that learning Rav Kook is essential in understanding the meaning of Torah :-).
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The winner of this week’s Question of the Week is Bat Israel!
We had asked:
How did Bilaam attain the level of prophecy? First of all, we see he was not Jewish, and prophecy (according to the Kuzari) is attainable only by Jews! Second of all, we clearly see he was not righteous since he wanted to curse Klal Israel!
So how can some like him get to prophecy?
Bat Israel’s answer was drawn out of a “Hat” from all the answers by a computer program named “The Hat”. She will now receive, by email, a 20$ gift certificate for FREE Jewish Books!
Right now, it seems this will be the last question of the week. We had great participants, but in order to keep sponsors we needed much greater numbers. Maybe soon enough we will be able to try this experience again!
This week’s Sponsor was:
This week’s question is sponsored by Nehora Books and Judaica Gifts, the largest Jewish Bookstore online for the biggest selection of rare and new Jewish Books, Sifrei Kodesh on Torah, Talmud and Kabbalah.
Part of the Question of the Week!
Today, we are releasing the second Question of the Week! The prize this week will be a 20$ Gift Certificate towards Sefarim (Jewish Books) at Nehora.
How did Bilaam attain the level of prophecy? First of all, we see he was not Jewish, and prophecy (according to the Kuzari) is attainable only by Jews! Second of all, we clearly see he was not righteous since he wanted to curse Klal Israel!
So how can some like him get to prophecy?
In order to enter the raffle for the prize, you must answer the question of the week by commenting on this post. If your comment is very long, you need to divide it in a few comments or else you will get an error message! Your answer can be anything thoughtful. If you think the question is stupid , explain nicely and logically why you think so, and it will count as an answer.
Your answer must be in by 2 pm Israel Time on Friday. You must include your email when commenting or your answer will not be considered (We need to know how to contact you!). For more information, click here.
This week’s question is sponsored by Nehora Books and Judaica Gifts, the largest Jewish Bookstore online for the biggest selection of rare and new Jewish Books, Sifrei Kodesh on Torah, Talmud and Kabbalah.
Part of the Question of the Week!
Today, we are releasing the second Question of the Week! The prize this week will be a 20$ Gift Certificate towards Jewish MP3s on Jtunes.
And now, the question:
In this parasha we’re introduced with a “Hukah” - a law without an explanation, which we cannot understand.
What is the role of rationality as opposed to “faith” in Judaism? Are we supposed to understand everything we believe? Are we supposed to believe everything blindly? How do these two concepts interact?
In order to enter the raffle for the prize, you must answer the question of the week by commenting on this post. If your comment is very long, you need to divide it in a few comments or else you will get an error message! Your answer can be anything thoughtful. If you think the question is stupid , explain nicely and logically why you think so, and it will count as an answer.
Your answer must be in by 2 pm Israel Time on Friday. You must include your email when commenting or your answer will not be considered (We need to know how to contact you!). For more information, click here.
