Rabbi Yaakov Beasley
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Kingly Appointments
Rabbi Yaakov BeasleyThe ambiguous formulations of the Torah regarding the King make it unclear whether appointing a King is commanded or permissible. Disagreements on this matter span from the time of the Sages to Medieval commentators. The ambiguity points to a need of a consensus by the nation.
The Book of Yonah
Rabbi Yaakov BeasleyCreation: How Good is Very Good?
Rabbi Yaakov BeasleyAt the end of the creation, we find that God is surveying His handiwork, and things are less than they appeared at first. What has changed? Are we forced to conclude that the addition of mankind has diminished God’s handiwork?
Man alone is capable of veering away from its designated purpose. Paradoxically, it is precisely due to this freedom — that man is made “be-tzelem Elokim,” “in the image of God” — that the human being is incomplete and therefore cannot be called good. Creation ends with an indeterminate and ambiguous ending. The question of how mankind will utilize its freedom and capabilities begins.
In the Garden
Rabbi Yaakov BeasleyTo understand properly how Adam and Chava erred and the purpose of narrating this failure for eternity, we cannot begin with the dialogue between the serpent and Chava in Chapter 3. We must also include what occurs in Chapter 2, from the creation of the Garden and the rivers within it, the placing of man in the Garden and his charge, the naming of the animals, and the creation of woman.
Chapter 2 plays an important role in understanding the penalties that Hashem metes out to the participants of the sin. Each punishment reflects the reversal of the idyllic situation that previously existed. In unlocking the meaning of our narrative, we must play close attention to this structure.
Between Sin and Punishment
Rabbi Yaakov BeasleyIn this shiur, will study the narrative of Adam and Chava's sin. Between sin and punishment, we notice the space between when the first people sin and when Hashem confronts Adam and Chava with their actions. The Torah allows us a glimpse at both their immediate reactions upon realizing their error, and Hashem’s gentle approach towards the ashamed couple.
Noach – To Be A Man of the Earth
Rabbi Yaakov BeasleyHow did Noah, filled with the hopes of his generation, descend so rapidly to the state of shame and dishonor that marks his final appearance in the Torah? In order to answer our questions, we will rely on literary allusions and connections to other stories to decipher the cryptic answers encoded within the text in front of us.
In direct opposition to God's wish to repopulate the desolate earth, Noach chooses to refrain from bringing new life forth. Instead, he chose to avoid his destiny, to drown himself in his own handiwork.
The Sanctity of Human Life
Rabbi Yaakov BeasleyTraditionally, rabbinic literature referred to the set of laws granted to humanity after the flood as the Sheva Mitzvot Benei Noach, the seven commandments of Noach's children or the Noachide code. The commandments include prohibitions against stealing, killing, eating the limb of live animals, acts of sexual immorality, idolatry, blasphemy, and a requirement to establish courts of law.
In this week's study, we will speculate regarding what occurred after the flood that required that these commandments be explicitly stated, and we will concentrate on the nature of the central prohibition, the prohibition against taking another life.
Greatness - Among Us or Above Us
Rabbi Yaakov BeasleyRather unobtrusively, the Torah continues with the mention of one significant individual before continuing with the genealogies:
Cush fathered Nimrod. He began to be the first man of might on earth. He was a mighty hunter before Hashem; hence the saying, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before Hashem.” And the beginning of his kingdom was Bavel, Erekh, Akkad and Khalneh in the land of Shinar. From that land emerged Ashur, who built Nineveh and Rechovot-Ir and Kalach. Resen was between Nineveh and Kalach - this was the great city. (Bereishit 10:8-12)
What does the phrase "before Hashem" mean? We examine different views about Nimrod's character and achievements.
The Earth, the Flood, and the Causes
Rabbi Yaakov BeasleyIn the story of the flood, God's description about what is about to happen is unclear. Grammatical and thematic difficulties arise. We examine various explanations and use tools such as other ancient languages to understand the meaning of the verse in question.
The Finances of the Forefathers – Part 1
Rabbi Yaakov BeasleyHow Avraham acquires his wealth, and how he disposes of it, provides us with a lesson about how financial success can become a test as well as a blessing.
The Finances of the Forefathers – Part 2
Rabbi Yaakov BeasleyWe examine the stories of Avraham and the War of the Kings, as well as his encounter with Avimelekh. Slowly, as Avraham becomes a beacon of justice and righteousness, his physical possessions become a reflection of that reality, and not a source of dividedness and compromise.
The Finances of the Forefathers - Part 3
Rabbi Yaakov BeasleyWe have been analyzing the specific role money performs in Avraham’s narrative. This shiur will focus on how that pertains to the last few stories of Avraham's life.
Without wealth, Avraham’s mission to spread his unique moral brand of monotheism in the world would have gone unnoticed. Ultimately, through his wealth and prestige, Avraham is able to not only attract the world’s attention, but also ensure the survival and continuity of his own unique mission.
Hosea: Spotlight on the Twelve Prophets
Rabbi Yaakov BeasleySpotlight on the Twelve Minor Prophets
Rabbi Yaakov BeasleyThoughts on Parashat Re'eh - Part 1
Rabbi Yaakov BeasleyThoughts on Parashat Re'eh - Part 2
Rabbi Yaakov BeasleyThoughts on Parashat Ki Tetze
Rabbi Yaakov BeasleyA Thought for Parashat Ki Tavo
Rabbi Yaakov BeasleyA Thought for Nitzavim - Vayelekh
Rabbi Yaakov Beasley