by Joel Rich
The Drashot Haran (Drasha #6) posits that while HKB”H set varying “gmul” (reward) for the 613 mitzvoth, he didn’t tell us which (me-positive ones) had greater reward in order that we not focus only on those mitzvoth but rather try to do all in hopes that we include the high value targets.
It would be interesting to see what alternative rewards system a compensation consultant might come up with to support the same desired results. Of course a good consultant would tell you compensation is only a part, and often not the key driver, in the market/employee value proposition!
Community plays a large role in halacha (ex. community minhagim, rabbinic leadership acceptance of Shabbat, responsibility to educate…) Historically these started out geographically defined but seem to have morphed to include family, prior culture, geography etc. Given the proliferation of virtual communities (e.g.. Torah Musings readers) will virtual community membership also be a factor in halachic determinations?
- Rabbi Nosson Rich-Mishna Berura Yomi: Hilchos Eruvin 362-1
Chatzeir open to reshut harabim – appurtenances can make a difference
- Rabbi Shay Schachter-Understanding Shiva Asar B’Tamuz & Common Questions on Public Fast Days
What happened on the 17th of Tammuz? More importantly what lessons should be learned today? (Hint-it’s not be comfortable in galut) Then some specifics of particular halachic applications.
- Rabbi Shay Schachter-Properly Charting Medications on Shabbos
Camp Simcha has many Shabbat challenges – one is recordkeeping. Is it less problematic to write or type on a computer? What other approaches might work? Interesting position of the Or Zarua that non-Hebrew writing on Shabbat is only a rabbinic prohibition. Defining k’lachar yad (not the usual practice) is difficult in practice.
Interesting psak of R’Asher Weiss regarding using a white board on Shabbat in a problematic situation. - Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Ten Minute Halacha – Gluten Free on Shabbos+
If one totally avoids gluten, one has to deal with Shabbat issues including kiddush bmakom seudah, lechem mishna and shalosh seudot eating post shkia.
- Rabbi Aaron E. Glatt, MD -Listen: The Remarkable Intensity of Lashon Hara
Lashon hara is very, very bad.
- Rabbi Judah Kerbel-Rabbi, May I Use the Shulchan Aruch? Part I
Introduction to the history of halacha up through the Shulchan Aruch.
- Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Ten Minute Halacha – Sleeping on Your Back or Stomach
The Talmudic guide to approved sleeping positions – health, tzniut of kabbalistic origins?
- Rabbi Ezra Schwartz-Halachic Men Season V Episode III: Introduction to RAMBAM
The life and times of the Rambam and his works. He was in to orality, not into poetry. Everyone sees what they want to in him, what were his true goals?
- Rabbi Moshe Taragin-שיעור יומי פסחים פ”ב #8 בענין יהרג ואל יעבור בג’ חמורות
Yehareig v’al yaavor (give up your life rather than sin)-are the big 3 singled out because of their gravity or damage done? What are the halachic implications of the answer to this question ?
- Rabbi Chayim Soloveichik-Moshe and Bilam: Seen through the Lenses of our Sages
Bilaam said over word for word what HKB”H commanded him to say, just as Moshe did. Leadership must seek the ratzon hashem, not what they want.
- Rabbi Ari Kahn-Theological Polygamy
Polytheism and pantheism as revealed in the parsha. Some focus on memory, others on impact.
- Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner-The Ketubah’s Financial Goals, and Inadmissibility in Court
How is spousal joint financial control viewed by and/or reflected in halacha? (Tnaim/ketubah et al). US courts don’t take ritual documents seriously
- Rabbi Avraham Yosef-קבלת שבת עם בני העיר סימן רסג סעיף יג ויד
When a community accepts Shabbat, what is the impact of such acceptance on travelers and late comers? Is there a parallel to a ben aretz’s status on yom tov sheini? What if the acceptance was in error? Is there a different impact on prayer than on mlacha?
- Rabbi Michael Taubes-Parshas Chukas Why May a Kohen Not Go to a Funeral or Cemetery
Technical discussion on whether once we’re all tamei (ritually impure) is there an issue of adding additional impurity? (Yes – that’s why cohanic graves are near the road).
- //13/19 Ethiopian Jews’ Protests Challenge Racism in Israel
Rabbi Benyamin Goldschmidt, Rabbi Dr. Benny Lau,MK Pnina Tamano- Shata,Rabbi Sharon Shalom-Why are they protesting? Why is the young generation going off the Derech? Understanding Rav Ovadia Yosef’s historic Psak in support of Ethiopian Jewish identityHalachic positions of R’OY and R’MF on the status of Ethiopian olim. It sounds like there is significant general and religious discrimination in Israel today. This should not be so IMHO.
- Rabbi Shimon Spitzer-הקדמה לספר חובות הלבבות שער הביטחון – שיעור #1 – Why is it so important to constantly be learning about Bitachon?
First in a series. What is the relationship between emunah and bitachon? Are they separate mitzvoth? How do you get guidance when “The Sfarim” don’t tell you what to do?
- Rabbi Shraga Kallus-Ribbit Awareness – “But it’s fair”
There are a number of seemingly allowable every day cases which can involve ribbit. (I’ve heard these cases a number of times, makes me wonder why the presumption is people don’t know about them). There are workarounds.
- Rabbi Azarya Berzon-Heroic and Landmark Responsa that have impacted on Jewish History, Part I, the Jewish Family
Tshuvot that changed the world: Yichud, adoption, and civil marriage.
- Rabbi Nosson Rich-Mishna Berura Yomi: Hilchos Eruvin 362-2
Temporary mechitzot, tree branches et al – are they mukaf?
- Rabbi Menachem Penner-NCSY KOLLEL How to teach tefillah to teens
It’s tough to teach prayer to teens who feel no needs. Some suggestions provided.
- Rabbi Assaf Bednarsh-Horayot 9 (אשם תלוי איכא בינייהו, עשה דהשלמה)
Continuing technical discussion, primary focus on hashlama (karbanot generally must be brought between the karban shacharit and mincha).
- Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Ten Minute Halacha – How Much To Sleep and When to Sleep
How much to sleep and when – what do halacha and hashkafa have to say? It’s very much an individual calculation but it requires “to thine own self be true”. (See the latest studies on the long term sleep deprivation)
- Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-A Basic Understanding of Modern Orthodoxy
Defining MO – what is it? What isn’t it? There’s lots of room for improvement. R’Lebowitz channels R. Lichtenstein.
- Q and A with Rabbi Rosner and Rabbi Lebowitz – 5779
1) Chinuch and Rabbanut – both need intellect and emotional connection 2) Set personal goals and don’t worry about others 3) Having one Rabbi – when yes and when no 4) Centrality of Israel 5) Relationship to Kabbalah/Chassidut 6) Daf yomi 7) MO issues-materialism, ahavat torah and apathy 8) Speakers must know their audience, be organized and know what works.
- Q and A with Rabbi Rosner and Rabbi Lebowitz – 5779
1) Chinuch and Rabbanut – both need intellect and emotional connection 2) Set personal goals and don’t worry about others 3) Having one Rabbi – when yes and when no 4) Centrality of Israel 5) Relationship to Kabbalah/Chassidut 6) Daf yomi 7) MO issues-materialism, ahavat torah and apathy 8) Speakers must know their audience, be organized and know what works.
- Rabbi Shay Schachter-Vacation Halachos: Visiting a Historical Church
Artistic (or non-emergency) visits to churches are not allowed [me-apparently many of amcha do not accept this l’maaseh]
- Rabbi Jeffrey Saks-Two Types of Leadership
How did Yehoshua’s leadership follow Moshe’s? Two types of leadership discussed – political/military and spiritual/religious.
- Rabbi Hershel Schachter-Balak 5779
Parsha thoughts including but not limited to: status of Bilaam’s prophecy, moshiach; tzaar baalei chaim; did the donkey really speak?; what did Moshe get at Sinai?; weapons in the synagogue….
- Rabbi Hershel Schachter-The Source of Kedusha in the World
R’HS speaks in Hebrew with a Russian translator on R’YBS’s hashkafa drawn from halacha. Topics include: Tashmishei kedusha/mitzvah; TSBC/TSBP (written/oral law); Beit Knesset/Beit Medrash; Kodesh/Chol; Ger/Toshav. Sometimes we must swim against the tide.
Abbreviations
Examples where misread abbreviations are proferred as possible explanations for problematic statements by commentators (usually really not the correct explanation) - Rabbi Eitan Bendavid -Christian and Muslim Influences on the Halakhic System
Examples of impact of surrounding cultures on halachat including: Blood libels; Nittle nacht; Modesty definitions….
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