by Joel Rich
Interesting article to read (I have the PDF) – Joseph Davis – “The Reception of the Shulchan Arukh and the Formation of Ashkenazic Jewish Identity”. Points to correlations between codifications in the “outside world” and Halacha as well as moving from geographic minhag/identity to others subunits (e.g. ethnic).
Any good actuary (or even a poor one) can tell you correlation doesn’t prove causation, but it does provide some thoughts on some interesting questions (e.g. why the switch to ethnic minhagim from geographic ones?).
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Interesting WSJ report of a British Journal of Psychology study: “People who had more social interactions with close friends reported being happier – unless they were highly intelligent. People with higher I.Q.’s were less content when they spent more time with friends. Psychologists theorize that these folks keep themselves intellectually stimulated without a lot of social interaction, and often have a long-term goal they are pursuing. [Me – Any thoughts?]
- Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin -Apple and Coca-Cola: Geirim and Kohanim in the Jewish Tradition
Know your audience, pick an appropriate topic and use effective media. Your presentation will vary depending on these.
- Rabbi Nosson Rich-Mishna Berura Yomi: Hilchos Mariv 238-2 and 239-1
If you have a set amount of learning you do every day, you should make it up at night if you missed some (like a vow!) but perhaps the blanket waiver on erev Rosh Hashana hatarat nedarim is sufficient to rely on. Then on to kriat shma al hamitah rules.
- Rabbi Nosson Rich-Mishna Berura Yomi: Hilchos Chol Hamoed 530
Which activities are prohibited and which are permitted on chol hamoed (categories defined). Is this a Torah or rabbinic prohibition? There are positive aspects too. Be more careful in chol hamoed observance!
- Rabbi Ezra Schwartz-Walking Past the Bakery on Pesach
Part of a series. Ethical question concerning utilitarian philosophy trade-offs when making life and death decisions, leading up to the question of the mother’s or baby’s life when a choice needs to be made.
- Rabbi Yehoshua Grunstein-Drinking Coffee and home and then in the car- How many Berachot do you make?
Part of a series. Focus on whether a new blessing on food/drink is required when going from place to place. Factors include nature of the food/drink, was someone left behind, are you intending on returning? Coffee probably requires a blessing in both places. Seemed like a preference for more blessings rather than less (not as concerned about bracha sheina tzricha {a bracha which isn’t necessary]).
- S.Y. Agnon-The Orange Peel and Other Satires
New English translation of 2 satirical Agnon pieces – one diaspora related (shul) and the other related to state (Israel) politics. Includes some very entertaining readings of the works.
- Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky-The Shiyur(amount) of Talmud Torah Part 2
Perhaps the mishnaic debate is whether U’vshavbcha U’vkumecha requires a set text or is it a mitzvah of Talmud Torah?
- Rabbi Netanel Wiederblank -10. The Scope of Free Will part 2: A nissayon that can’t be passed and freedom with respect to thoughts and emotions
Are we ever given a test that we can’t pass? Not really and anyway you can never use that as an excuse for yourself since you can’t really know. If it is the case, then the real test is how do you act after the fact!
Can we harm someone who is undeserving of the harm? Opinions given both ways.
Can we control thoughts (vs. controlling actions?) Yes (Ibn Ezra princess discussion). HKB”H in the end decides what happens.
- Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Shemurah Matzah: Watched From When and For What?
Defining shmira (guarding) in the matzah process, when is it needed in any stage from planting to the end of baking? Perhaps there are two different types of shmira – one involving only a supervising function and one involving a required action (i.e. different functions – one involving keeping the matzah from becoming chometz vs. one requiring it be made “Lishma”) depending on which part of the matzah production process is involved.
- Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky-The Shiyur(amount) of Talmud Torah Part 1
Torah learning needs to be tamid – but does that mean continual or regular? Talmudic sources considered and the Rambam’s position clarified.
- Rabbi Howard Apfel-Humility in Medicine
It really is OK to be an MD. even if you could have been a great learner (explaining R’HS et al didn’t really mean it’s a problem for you!!). Quotes sources re following your ntiyah (learnings/heart)?
Humility isn’t about rejecting your abilities, it’s about knowing your limits. - Rabbi Michael Rosensweig -Chelek 9
Deeper analysis of the Rashba on how non-Jews (or those Jews without a particular mesorah) might look at things – it’s OK to employ philosophy and/or science as long as you do so with humility.
Then on to techiyat hameitim (resurrection of the dead) as a test case for balancing emunah vs. what might be “proven” by natural law/science. Perhaps the Rambam wasn’t so focused on techiyat hameitim due to his understanding that it was not the “final stop”. - Rabbi Eli Ozarowski -Negotiating the Israel Pesach Shopping Experience: A guide to the Pesach Kashrut of various products
Israel based Pesach kashrut shiur includes:
*soft matzah for Ashkenazim – allowed?
*wine – look out for shviit issues
*kitniyot issues – oil (canola especially), quinoa, diet soda, et al
*dairy product issues
*Erev Pesach – work and other activities – allowed? - Rabbi Ari Kahn -Why Bad Things Happen (parts 1 and 2)
If “why do bad things happen to good people?” (theodicy) bothers you, you must believe in God! Some answer that it is the devil (implies a separate power from God), we say HKB”H is metzamzeim (contracts) to allow it to happen (and thus allow free will). Our question should be how do we react/grow from it?
- Rabbi Ezra Schwart-Some practices and halachos of Nissan
Don’t say I’m buying for Pesach (ok to say Yom Tov) since it might imply buying is for karban Pesach. Eating matzah before Pesach issues.
- Rabbi Nosson Rich-Mishna Berura Yomi: Hilchos Mariv 239-2
Fall asleep with Torah on your mind. Forgive others and say viduy (confession) before going to sleep.
- Rabbi Jonathan Ziring -תהליך הפסיקה 4- הקדמה ליביע אומר
R’Ovadia’s view that learning for psak takes precedence over learning simply for the sake of learning.
- Rabbi Daniel Stein -Selling Chametz Gamur?
Detailed discussion of issues regarding sale of chametz duraita (Torah prohibited). R’Stein allows it but cautions against extrapolating to other sale cases (e.g. heter mechira) where there is a positive commandment in addition to a prohibition.
- Rabbi Allen Schwartz -How to Publish K’sav Yad – 01 – Rokeach on Mishlei
Text (unclear) of Rokeach commentary on the use of the word chochma in Mishlei.
- Rav Nissan Kaplan-Emuna
True emunah (faith?) means nothing can hurt us. Work on emunah pshuta (simple faith) this time of year. Be careful to avoid anger on Pesach.
- Jews have both a national and universalistic identity. You can’t resign from the nation. Discusses “v’ahavta l’reacha” as defining how one should love oneself as well – as you are required to be by HKB”H, not necessarily how you are currently existing/feeling (therefore no suicide allowed, etc.).
Jews have both a national and universalistic identity. You can’t resign from the nation. Discusses “v’ahavta l’reacha” as defining how one should love oneself as well – as you are required to be by HKB”H, not necessarily how you are currently existing/feeling (therefore no suicide allowed, etc.).
- Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks-Judaism’s Unique Concept of Freedom
Our unique Jewish concept of freedom defines us and is an alternative to complete capitulation or ghettoization. It’s based on cheirut (freedom)/charut (engraved). We voluntarily (“freely”) accept central authority (parallel to UK/US revolutions; opposite of French and Russian) but we also internalize the message so it is a part of us.
- Rabbi Yonah Gross -Iyun Chabura – When and How Do We Add a Month to the Year?
Analysis of Talmudic triggers for adding an extra month (al pi hariah) and the switchover to a fixed calendar system. Includes authority for declaring new month when smicha no longer in existence.
- Rabbi Jonathan Ziring -פוסק ומנהיג – הקדמה לטהרת הבית חלק ב
R’Ovadia explains why a poseik must also consider leadership roles. A history of Shas and R’Ovadia’s efforts to have consolidated sfardi psak and politic.
- Rabbi Baruch Simon-Yoreh Deah-Inyanei dYoma-Taaroves Kitnyos on Pesach
OU doesn’t rely on bitul in any area of kashrut (not for kashrut reasons but because on a commercial basis that’s what consumers assume). Detailed discussion of the status of kitniyot including mixtures and liquids.
- Rabbi Ezra Schwartz-Walking Past the Bakery on Pesach
Is reach (odor) halachically significant? Does the answer depend on the nature of the:
*odor source
*prohibition involved and its natrure
*intent of the product maker
*intent of the consumer
*anything else? - Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz -Ten Minute Halacha – Bedikas Chameitz When Staying In A Hotel
Generally yes – hotel rooms need to be checked for chometz (could be you or a mashgiach type) and your house needs it too – some fine points some may not be aware of.
- Rabbi Hershel Schachter-Shiur Klali: Inyonei Pesach – Bal Yiraeh, When to Bake Matzahs, Owning Shares in Corporations that Own Chametz
Detailed analysis of Pesach related topics including:
*bitul (nullification)
*hefker (owner lessness)
*kinyan (ownership)
*baking matza on erev Pesach
*status of corporations in Halacha - Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz -Ten Minute Halacha – Palm Reading
There are some precedents in Chazal for palm reading (not the Rambam!). Best to avoid it but it may not be prohibited.
- Rabbi Yochanan Zweig -The Message of Pesach for Contemporary Times
Hagaddah is a story and a message of commitment. The script is for our kids to be empowered to commit to HKB”H.
Please direct any informal comments to [email protected].
