Audio Roundup

Gemara learns eating on erev Yom Kippur and tosefet Yom Kippur from the same pasuk. Rambam discusses (it’s a long derivation) the contrast of eating and fasting to demonstrate it’s all for the sake of heaven. This is followed by a bunch of applications of this distinction.
Then discussion of classic debate about turning Friday afternoon into Shabbat (do you really do that or are you just accepting some limitations).
Mussar – don’t compete on how early you get out of Shul, look at yourself as others look at you (cue Robert Byrnes – Would some power the gift to gie us to see ourselves as others see us) and infuse all activities with holiness (but realize they are not at the same level as learning, etc.).

Two comments –
1) It is a running discussion in my learning group that I always say I am trying to figure out what God wants me to do and they always say God wants me to figure it out for myself. I agree but tell them that he left hints throughout the Talmud and that is what I am trying to figure out.
2) Rabbi Lebowitz makes the point with regard to levels of holiness. Maybe it depends on the audience being addressed to, but it would seem to me that infusing all these activities with holiness is not really the main point-although it is certainly true. The point is that learning is a requirement when not involved in any of the other requirements of life. So, the real test is what one does in the time that they are not being called upon to make a living, etc. Thought experiment – One has an individual who was born (see recent daf yomi – brachot – 55) who was born with the ability to interpret dreams. He can earn full week’s worth of compensation in 15 minutes a day of dream interpretation to the stars. Would HKB”H prefer he not make a living that way and learn all day and rely on the charity of others?

Part I of an “introduction” (a mere 2-1/2 hours) to the prohibition of interest. Is it:
*on the borrower, lender or both
*a type of prohibition against stealing or an act of kindness
*subject to waiver
*only in a case where collection is demanded
Philosophy: This sits at the intersection of orach chaim and yoreh deah – it’s monetary but also about the Jewish family.
Worth listening for: R’MR’s comment on a statement that sounded very “Riverdalian”.

A video including everything you need to know about practical wine production and the process needed for keeping it all Kosher.

Why are milk, eggs and honey allowed given they come from live beings? [gotta love the ducking of the issue that dvash (honey) in the verse quoted is not bees’ honey] Then discussion of issue of brachot said when eating the various simanim on Rosh Hashanah.
I hadn’t heard of the minhag that women should bring salt to the table (in remembrance of Lot’s wife).
Then on to the question of viewing the salt on the table as a stand in for practice at the altar vs. making the bread better tasting. Dipping the bread in salt is kabbalistic.
Nice close on why not dip Challah in both honey and salt on Rosh Hashanah – salt is preservative and we don’t want to preserve old ways – honey is total absorption to change.

Trying to understand free will – examples both ways concerning the interaction of free will and personal and community destiny. Usual answers to hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. Best advice from R’YBS – don’t focus on why, just on what HKB”H wants of you (me – but then see spirituality shiur – point made by the organizer that he needs to know a lot of why’s).

History of slichot – Talmudic references refer to psalms said at fasts for lack of rain. Sources for slichot in Elul or 10 days of repentance are from gaonim/rishonim. Another major source is medrash about HKB”H doing a demo of how to entreat him (HKB”H) for Moshe Rabbeinu.
Piyutim came later (and continued to be written over time – so need to differentiate). Ibn Ezra was against them – they are hard to understand and it’s hard to have proper intent. (me – I was taught to try to focus on 13 midot and model them in life). [me – Does anyone say the 13 midot in the Elul slichot word for word together as a congregation as it says in the instructions?]

If Adam hadn’t failed (by eating the apple (or wheat…)), there wouldn’t be a Jewish people. We pray for mashiach (even though we won’t be as special when he comes) because that’s humanity’s destiny. Then comparison with other religion’s take on things (hameivin yavin).

Philosophically, can a person really “decide” to kill someone (or a non ben brit or an animal?) who otherwise wasn’t destined to die? Sources both ways plus an in between position. (Cue – John Lennon – Whatever gets you through the night)

A slickly produced video where the CR finds common ground with 3 atheists; even Richard Dawkins! (even though RD holds reason must trump faith) and proves the importance of having conversations.

Interesting discussion of “gzeirah d’rabbah” (rabbinic ordinance to not blow shofar on Rosh Hashanah that falls out on Shabbat due to fear someone will carry shofar in public domain on Shabbat in order to learn how to blow). Doesn’t that seem a far-fetched concern? On top of that the Yerushalmi gives an unrelated scriptural reason for this non-blowing and never mentions the carrying concern!?
There was a gzeirah introduced by Nechemiah for certain non-carrying in the home, so apparently the carrying on Shabbat thing was a particularly thorny issue. However, people got the message so Nechemiah’s broader ordinance was reversed but perhaps they kept the shofar one (and other holiday ones like it) as a reminder how important the Rabbis considered the issue – that they were concerned even for a rare case.
So why don’t we blow Shofar on Shabbat? Perhaps message is that during week we blow to remind ourselves that HKB”H is only recognized by the world as a mosheil (ruler by force) so during the week we must seek him as melech (king by acclimation), but on Shabbat he is recognized as our true melech. So then why blow in Mikdash on Shabbat? In inspirational realm (philosophically, represented “physically” in mikdash) there is no rest for us in trying to understand HKB”H to the extent possible.

Good discussion of halachic and medical issues from the last time the metzitzah b’peh controversy was hot. Halachic review starts with the Talmudic concerns (antidote to some danger) and later approaches of the Tifferet Yisrael, Chatam Sofer and R’Hirsch and where they fell out on the philosophical and practical issues regarding changing perceptions of the efficacy of MB”P as a treatment (and as a Kabbalistic “requirement”).
Then a presentation of the medical history and current events plus a rebuttal of the concerns (if you haven’t been following the debate, this will pretty much bring you totally up to date).

Advice to Rambling Man (and woman) – cue the Allman Brothers. Issues include:
*priorities and algorithm in where to light Shabbat candles (lighting 100 in the lobby is never the answer).
*covering challah (and everything else) for Kiddush? [depends on if covering is to keep the challah from embarrassment or to “cover” the halachic issue of Kavod Shabbat].
*camera to allow you to buzz in – problem!
*elevator operator – you can’t put yourself into the position of needing this on an ongoing basis [should Manhattanites move or is bdieved ok?] *if hotel has permanent residents as well as guests, there’s an issue for needing eruv to carry in the halls!
*restaurant in non-Kosher hotel usage – you’ve got to be kidding (then specific details)

Introduction to minhag types and various underlying theories and definitions with examples. Then on to bracha of l’hadlik ner shel Shabbat – perhaps established as response to Karraites!
Why eat on erev Yom Kippur – Is it preparation for fast or transference of a yom tov to the prior day – implications for eating night before and for slichot.
Kol Nidrei text explained (BTW – 3 times is usual rabbinic formula when item established karaites).
Other issues include:
*Shehechiyanu and exempting others
*Inuyim – Duraita or Drabanan
*Illness and eating on Yom Kippur.
Could have used more detail – why weren’t concentration camps considered shaat hashmad?

A very basic, high level history of halacha (e.g. pre churban, mishna…gaonim… (you get it)). Focus on sealing of misheh and gemara.

A story of a poem – “Kotzo Shel Yud” from 19th century. A.D. Gordon wrote about a woman’s lot in Europe and a particular agunah case caused by a strict Rabbi. What were his sources? Did it refer to a specific Rabbi?
Money quote – “You’re a Jewish poet, what century did you live in?”

From 1993! Explanation of how written Torah was put (as directed by HKB”H) together from 3 source documents (Sinai, traveling dictations, arvot moav directions). Torah Msinai really means we should learn it with same drama as when it was given at Sinai. Then explanation of Rabbinic role, especially after loss of Sanhedrin (Rabbis are still trying to figure out brain death was an interesting example!).

Receipt of covenant is both an enabler and a requirer (i.e. you can’t opt out of reward and punishment). Then focus on taking care of each other and mussar on learning.

Spirituality is all about mindfulness. Brief introduction to program.

Panel discussion. Cynicism/sarcasm is the enemy of spirituality. So what works? Cultivate an awareness of HKB”H, especially in kids (have them tell you each day of an example of Hashgacha pratit in their lives).
Life in Englewood is extraordinarily comfortable, they must learn sacrifice is inspiring.
We must show our kids our emotional connection to HKB”H (he’s real to us). Story of how an abusive teacher made HKB”H real to one of the speakers. (hmmm)
Me – 1) I’m not sure I would use Englewood as my jumping off point for identifying root causes of spirituality issues for Klal Yisrael.
2) Made it sound like if your parents aren’t good role models, you’re in deep trouble (but of course we all have free will). IIRC R’YBS had a similar comment, but it’s still disheartening to me.
3) So if your kids hashgacha pratit moment is negative (e.g. classmate severely injured) what do you say (or am I being cynical?).