by Joel Rich
Cemetery before Wedding (From R’ Aviner)
Q: What is the source behind the custom of going to the cemetery before a wedding and inviting one’s relatives who have passed away?
A: There is no source, but it is the custom of some people.
Me-Ever wonder how customs like this start?
“I don’t know how much God has to do to get the attention of the politicians,” x told a group of generally older residents on Florida’s Gulf Coast on Sunday, referring to the need to rein in spending.
“We’ve had an earthquake; we’ve had a hurricane. He said: ‘Are you going to start listening to me here? Listen to the American people because the American people are roaring right now.’ “
Summary history of the R’Eybshutz/R’Emden Sabbathean controversy.
Interesting insight as to how it affected the respect for Rabbis (not positively).
Introduction to some of the basics of eruvim including theoretical halacha and practical applications.
Me – Rabbinic students don’t know what a plumb line is? Whatever happened to ein l’dayan ela ma she’einav ro’ot?(who are you going to trust, me or your lyin eyes?)
Anna Urowitz Freudenstein – Freudenstein-Reactions To The Destruction of the First and Second Temples
What were the reactions to the churban bayit (destruction of the
temple) as expressed in the medrash, apocrypha and pseudographia (ancient non-rabbinic Jewish texts)?
Understanding passive and active waiting for the rebuilding of the beit hamikdash.
Why a separate kina for Yoshiyahu? 1) importance of a proper eulogy for a great man; 2) importance of noting individual loss even at a time of communal loss.
This particular kinah is both historical and a link to his predecessors where there was a similar hopeful nature.
Discussion of ethics and halacha (or as I might say micro and macro
halacha) and how they interact. Great questions, everyone’s answer has to get them through the night!
R’Cohen (yes – same one who was in MTA back in the day), discusses imitato dei, love and in awe of HKB”H, cleaving to HKB”H and the true meaning of “me eil kamocha”.
Approaches to dina d’malchuta dina and how they inform on taxes/tariffs. Can the government tax to provide preference to local manufacturers?, can they prevent foreign competition?
Analysis of the number of days to say slichot and do you need to say birchat hatorah first.
Insight from Bratzlav – when Moshe was told “Reeh b’einecha” it’s linked to “einei hashem” – see with wisdom.
Hostages, the IDF, hatzalat klal Yisrael (saving the Jewish people) and agunot – how the modern state deals with this issue.
(Poor recording quality). Miscellaneous insight (including from Rabbeinu Yonah) – davening mincha times, late comers to shul, buying honey from non-benbrit, the authorship of the shaarei tshuva, kashrut of sturgeon and practice in certain communities (in history) not to wear tfillin daily.
R’Rakefet’s history from Salanter Yeshiva in the Bronx to the IDF
(lecturing) and the Mossad. He also tips his hat to R’Gil on the editing et al of his new book.
A mention of another favorite of mine – R’YBS on ger v’toshav anochi imachem – the dynamic tension between being a member of am Yisrael and of the human race.
Another potpourri – burial in Israel, sefer torah layout, bonei brachamav or just bonei as a reflection of HKB”H “lien” on us, the GRA and Devarim as reflecting future events, 613 mitzvot or categories, need (no) for a Mechitza a non-shul temporary minyan…
Grapes, wine and wine products supervision issues.
Why “need” supervision on just about everything. Sounds like they are not too trusting of certain countries (actually I’m pleased to hear it!)
Evolution (not positive from) of western thought from focusing on responsibilities (as in religion) vs. rights.
A long time teacher notes how different generations of students react to particularist vs. universalistic approaches to non-bnai brit.
Particular focus on the Meiri’s more open approach.
Good general history of the written and oral law up through the mishna and gemara. Interesting thoughts on the switch from the “home country based” to travelling based law system and the concomitant need to write it down causing move from mimetic approach. Interesting note -R’Akiva was the first to organize tanaitic material by topic.
Re: inviting deceased relatives:
You’ve probably seen the bio at the beginning of Igros Moshe Vol. 8; RMF didn’t *do* grave visits (“not minhag Volozhin”); but before leaving Russia for good, he went back to say goodbye to his father.
I’d seen a sefer of Chasidish-minhag bent that said a Kel Malei Rachamim could be said under the chupa if either side recently lost someone, and it would feel meaningful. Have you ever seen this done? (Eh probably not anymore, it would make people cry and ruin their $5000 makeup.)
nope, but it wouldn’t surprise me. It’s also clear that the “olam” paskins that meitim yodim under the chuppah but I’m not sure why something that the gemara debates is so clear to everyone today.
KT