http://blog.thefoundationstone.org Learn & discover the Divine prophecies with Rabbi Simcha Weinberg from The Foundation Stone Blog Sun, 17 Mar 2013 02:48:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/03/01/fighting-to-look-up/ http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/03/01/fighting-to-look-up/#comments Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:57:31 +0000 Rabbi Simcha Weinberg http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/?p=6500 Dedicated to the memory of Raizel Devorah bat David Shaykin on her Yahrtzeit “It happened that when Moses raised his hand, Israel grew stronger, and when he lowered his hand, Amalek was stronger (Exodus 17:11).” “Was it Moses’ hands that won the battle or lost it? Rather, as long as Israel looked heavenward and subjected their [...]]]> http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/03/01/fighting-to-look-up/feed/ 1 http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/03/01/the-actual-and-the-imaginary/ http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/03/01/the-actual-and-the-imaginary/#comments Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:57:02 +0000 Rabbi Simcha Weinberg http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/?p=6497 In one of his last essays, “The Writer in Winter,” the late John Updike cites Nathaniel Hawthorne, “a writer who dwelt in shadowland” where – in Hawthorne’s words – “The Actual and the Imaginary may meet.”  Updike is referring to “The Custom House,” that serves as an introduction to his novel The Scarlet Letter. The [...]]]> http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/03/01/the-actual-and-the-imaginary/feed/ 0 http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-iv-1-recusal/ http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-iv-1-recusal/#comments Thu, 01 Mar 2012 03:05:04 +0000 Rabbi Simcha Weinberg http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/?p=6495 In “Consultations,” we offered five views of Achashveirosh: Achashveirosh believes that his ascension to the throne was guided by the constellations, or, Achashveirosh as Bill Clinton, Achashveirosh who believes that he is a man with a great destiny, a man determined that every decision be perceived as a ruling by the Supreme Court expressing his [...]]]> http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-iv-1-recusal/feed/ 0 http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-iv-1-consultations/ http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-iv-1-consultations/#comments Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:01:53 +0000 Rabbi Simcha Weinberg http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/?p=6493 “The king said to the wise men, those who knew the times (Esther 1:13).” Who were these men? Rabbi Simon said: These were the tribe of Yissachar, as it says, “And of the children of Yissachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do (I Chronicles 12:33).” Rabbi Tanchumah [...]]]> http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-iv-1-consultations/feed/ 0 http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-three-x-vashti%e2%80%99s-view-of-women-2/ http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-three-x-vashti%e2%80%99s-view-of-women-2/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 23:59:00 +0000 Rabbi Simcha Weinberg http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/?p=6491 “Made a feast for the women.” She gave them all kinds of delicacies. Rabbi Yitzchak said: she gave the women treats that are especially loved by women. “In the royal house,” she put them in large rooms because she believed a woman is quick to misbehave, and so she wanted them in a large room without [...]]]> http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-three-x-vashti%e2%80%99s-view-of-women-2/feed/ 0 http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-three-ix-vashti-v-esther-2/ http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-three-ix-vashti-v-esther-2/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 23:15:35 +0000 Rabbi Simcha Weinberg http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/?p=6489 “Also Queen Vashti made a party for the women.” Why does the verse record Vashti’s party? Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Karcha said: Why all this about Vashti? To show how great was the wealth that eventually became Esther’s. Rabbi Meir said: If God does so much for those who provoke Him, how much more so will He [...]]]> http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-three-ix-vashti-v-esther-2/feed/ 0 http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-three-vii-a-portion-in-the-world-to-come-2/ http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-three-vii-a-portion-in-the-world-to-come-2/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:00:12 +0000 Rabbi Simcha Weinberg http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/?p=6487 Another explanation: “From among those whose death is by Your hand, God (Psalms and 17:14).” How mighty are those who received their portion from Your hand, O Lord (who died for Your sake)! Who are these? These are the generation of destruction (by the Romans during the time of Hadrian) to see, the phrase being [...]]]> http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-three-vii-a-portion-in-the-world-to-come-2/feed/ 0 http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-three-vi-what-once-was-2/ http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-three-vi-what-once-was-2/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 20:30:31 +0000 Rabbi Simcha Weinberg http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/?p=6485 It is written, “From among those whose death is by Your hand, God, from men who die of old age, whose portion is eternal life, and with Your hidden treasure, You’ve fill their stomach, who are satisfied with children, and leave their abundance to their offspring (Psalms 17:14).” Rabbi Chanina the son of Rabbi Acha [...]]]> http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-three-vi-what-once-was-2/feed/ 0 http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-three-v-zeh-lo-fair-2/ http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-three-v-zeh-lo-fair-2/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:00:32 +0000 Rabbi Simcha Weinberg http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/?p=6483 “You indeed have seen it, for You observe mischief and anger, and it it is in Your power to allow it; nevertheless upon You the helpless relies, for the orphan, You have been the Helper (Psalms 10:14–15).” The Community of Israel said before the Holy One, Blessed is He: Sovereign of the Universe, “You indeed [...]]]> http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-three-v-zeh-lo-fair-2/feed/ 0 http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-three-iv-where-is-god%e2%80%99s-celebration/ http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-three-iv-where-is-god%e2%80%99s-celebration/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:30:46 +0000 Rabbi Simcha Weinberg http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/?p=6481 Rabbi Yitzchak began his lecture on this section of the Book of Esther with the following verse, “Yet you have not called upon Me, O Jacob, neither have you wearied yourself about Me, O Israel (Isaiah 43:22).” Rabbi Yochanan derived the meaning of this verse from another verse, “The burden of Damascus. Behold! Damascus is taken [...]]]> http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2012/02/29/midrash-esther-chapter-three-iv-where-is-god%e2%80%99s-celebration/feed/ 0