Audio Roundup CXXXVI

Shout out to Kol Hamevaser (I second it!) R’Klapper’s take on the brain death (BSD)/transplant issues. The “conventional wisdom” (of the opposing party) is that anti-BSD advocates are “physicalists” [no halachic changes due to change in “facts” – thus only exact continuation of chazal’s statements = nothing is really new] while BSD advocates are “ethicists” influenced by “outsiders”.
R’Aryeh focuses on “sumac tfei” (who says your blood is redder?) as a moral imperative meaning you can’t make value judgments that your blood is redder. He also doesn’t like that people would pray for someone to be in an accident so they can have available organs.
He then discusses “the people’s’” intuition that it’s ok to receive but not to donate organs – perhaps since donor card signer does not perceive an immediate need but when it’s them that’s in need , they see their life as more valuable (this sounds like a sociological, not halachic statement).
He then present two approaches – one based on R’Broyde/R’SZA the other on his own based on the Sheiltot/Tzitz Eliezer which might support this intuition.
Reminded me of the shiur of R’Ezra Schwarz on “Shabbat/Akum saving” halacha and how/why it changed over the years. Interesting approach, but I’m sure many would disagree (ahhh, for a TOE, my kingdom for a TOE).

The mother (Eretz Yisrael) is crying waiting for her children to come home to be happy and proud. If you’re not familiar with the life (and death) of R’Teichtal or the sefer, this is worth a listen.
Especially please listen to R’Teichtal’s (and R’Lebowitz’s) impassioned pleas – (and for me cue Country Yossi and Kenny Rogers – “Promise me son not to do the things I’ve done”)

Hat tip to R’Marc Shapiro! Review of the life and times of R’YY Weinberg (The Sridei Eish). A plea to imitate his approach to living in both worlds (secular and holy). Problem was(is) that it’s not easy not fitting in anywhere! (Now, if we could only have a large enough group following this approach!)

Lifnei Iver(placing a stumbling block) – Is the prohibition result oriented (only an issue if someone actually trips) or action oriented(placing it is the sin)? Is it between man and man or man and God? Or both!? Lots of implications. Followed by some good mussar on the importance of feeling responsibility for each other and being role models.
Bonus review of R’Akiva Eiger’s tshuva on looking at total net effect before deciding something is lifnei iver (e.g. is it lifnei iver to invite someone to take some for Shabbat dinner knowing he won’t make a bracha on the food you serve but you know it will change his life?).

Leap year is 13 months (surprise!) so how does that impact saying of Kaddish for an avel (usually 11 months) and Yahrtzeit? It doesn’t, since “currency” is months (interesting that so much is based on Chazal’s using the term Yud Beit Chodesh rather than Shanah as a description of the mourning period – or is it just a necessary evil due to our lunar with a hat tip to solar calendar?).
Discussions on going to wedding on Yahrtzeit, Yom hatmitah (day of death) vs. Yom hakvurah (day of burial) for Yahitzeit date.

What was the Judaic practice of the western (e.g. Rome) exiles? Not a lot of records – R’Mintz hypotheses based on synagogue histories, Josephus and other external sources. Perhaps they were more biblical but not so much rabbinic Jews.

Govt/King: Primary functions of king discussed as well as it is a primary mitzvah. Ends with mussar on importance of unity.

“Intuitively” everyone knows we should vote (me – not so so simple – one could argue participation = assent to all deeds). Review of sources in Tanach and Chazal on our relationship to government (pros and cons and reinterpretations) – (me – it’s a dialectic!). Be careful not to minimize our direct relationship with HKB”H but must treat government with respect – remember the U.S. is a medinah shel chessed, but we also pray for complete and final redemption.

Part of his hilchot Nida series re: the seven clean days clothing, sheets and spots. Shout out at the beginning to some young talmidei chachamim.

Interesting lesson in repentance, especially between man and man.

Another magic carpet ride. Mitzvah of remembering the eigel, Miriam – is it like amalek in frequency? First two aliyot are so long – since shevet levi wasn’t involved in chet haeigel, therefore they can be up there while it is being described. If there’s no Kohain in Shul, it’s generally best to give the first aliyah to a yisrael!(Per R’YBS practice)
Beit Halevi on difference between 1st and 2nd luchot – 2nd (since knew we’d be in exile) had a separate oral law all our own.
Tzniut as a lifestyle is important.
Very detailed lamdut on who can/must bring machtzit hashekel. It was a minimum, Sanhedrin (much like a shul treasurer!) had to figure out budget and then estimate how many would actually pay up & when! Based on this actuarial calculation, sanhedren would decide actual amount.
The Gaonim in Bavel didn’t like the “zecher l’machtzit hashekel” (giving $ in memory of the ½ shekel) custom (concern for misunderstanding – think it’s real machtzit shekel) but in Israel they did. So the whole using coins vs. bills may be overkill – better to give a big check!
Is there a chiyuv karban pesach for those living outside eretz Yisrael?

Halacha must speak to an integrated society in which we have a responsibility for outcome for the entire society.
How is/should halacha be impacted by the openness to input of the society around us – should we adopt more “universalist” shitot in this venue?

Part of a Rebbi’s job is to be like Moshe – addressing not just transmittal of information but the entire range of life issues. You should have a passion to teach and don’t worry about the learning time of your own you have to give up (as Moshe did), HKB”H will give it back to you with siyata d’shmaya.

Excellent mussar for beit medrashites. Remember shiflut (humility) is important but act as if your kadosh – put sfarim back where you got them, don’t leave muktzeh items over Shabbat…And remember R’Dovid Lifschitz (The Suvalker) – Mishenichnas Adar Marbin B’Smicha – ein smicha ela b’torah.

Lot’s of possible issues in eating in a vegetarian restaurant without supervision – 1) oils; 2) bishul Akum; 3) veggie infestations. Then the usual “things have changed” and a description of issues and opinions on checking necessity, methods and cleaning [ok – but I still don’t think they had light boxes in Suvalk – yes, that’s where my family hails from]

Examples of ayin hara (evil eye) references in medrash and zohar. How it works and specific examples (but avoid red bendels).

Review of Talmudic and letter sources on ashrei and other chapters included in psukei d’zimra. A number of questions on exactly which are included and what to do if you come late and should you make it up after tfila if you have to skip. Is the purpose simply praise before asking for your needs or is there more to it? (and some implications)

Why was the Gemara written down? – traditional reasoning concerning persecution/concern for forgetting – is it accurate?
R’Mintz feels it wasn’t written at time of Ravina/Rav Ashi – that was simply the point in time when no new opinions were allowed.
The medrash speaks of oral law writing to keep us unique or due to the power of the angel of forgetfulness.
At lease one opinion was the threat of other religions caused it to be written.
R’Mintz believes Rashi merged the traditions (Bavel & “Europe” – see his prior shiur) and read with a fresh eye.

Understanding on a philosophical and practical level how Talmud torah and other mitzvot interact, especially if the other mitzvot can be done by others (me – general issue – what does the gemara mean when it says a mitzvah is shakul (equal) to all others).