by Joel Rich
The story of Reish Lakish’s (r”l) leaving the banditry business and becoming a leading amora is fairly well known (see bava metzia 84a). Less well known is that with the seeming exception of rashi, everyone (see tosfot) seems to believe [based on the language here of hadrat = return and some chronology elsewhere] that he was a gavra raba (great rabbi) prior to becoming a bandit.
The rosh quoted in the shita mekubetzet states that the fact that no one questioned the efficacy of his return (based on a desire to marry r’yochanan’s sister) proves that he must’ve been originally learned. Does anyone understand how this answer solves the problem?
The gemara continues by saying that “akrei v’atneih” (r’yochanan taught r”l mikra and Mishna). Doesn’t this seem to go against the position that r”l was previously learned? Also why no back story as to why r”l went OTD or why marriage prospects were sufficient to get him back on the derech?
For those of you who have consumed secular culture in your lifetime, which character (preferably movie) did you identify with regarding a particular facet of your life’s struggle?
- Rabbi Shay Schachter-Appreciating Hard Work & The Our Opportunity to Succeed
Time is our most precious and perishable resource (yes, I know I’ve said it before) – use it and use it wisely. (me – Shiur includes a very sad commentary on some people who have retired)
- Rabbi Nosson Rich-Mishna Berura Yomi: Hilchos Eruvin 366-4
Eruv food should be in one container in the shul and no one should have reservations concerning someone else eating from it.
- Rabbi Dovid Grossman, Rabbi Yosef Fleischma-11/2/19 – Show 244 – Employment Law in Halacha Is it ever Muttar to fire a Rav, a Rebbi or employee? Non competes, Contracts, Severance, How to hire employees and much more…
Employment law in halacha is heavily impacted by local law and practice. Where there is not a specific employer/employee agreement, halacha has a lot to say on non-competes, severance, termination et al. (IMHO fairly free market)
- Rabbi Yehuda Turetsky-Introducing Chovos Halevavos: Philosophy, Chizuk, or Mussar
The Chovat Halevavot is universally accepted. It is a book of philosophy and mussar with a consistent approach to avodat hashem (service of HKB”H). Important point made – reading multiple sources on a topic can leave you confused if you don’t realize they may have underlying different approaches to the matter at hand.
- Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner-The Extent of Empathy
Separating from marital relationships on the ark was primarily an act of empathy with the rest of mankind. We engage in Imitato dei and don’t rub our good fortune in other’s faces, there are limits and priority levels to our empathy.
- Rabbi Ezra Wiener-Is a Non-Jew Obligated in Tzedaka?
Is tzedaka a mitzvah for non-bnai brit? It may not have been listed in the 7 mitzvot bnai noach for technical reasons (that list doesn’t include positive mitzvot) or because it’s natural law (ratzon hatorah)
- Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb-Minchas Chinuch: Gid Ha-Nashe
Gid hanasheh – can we learn halachic detail from pre-matan torah events? (me-it’s a big debate)
- Rabbi Daniel Stein-The Mitzvah of Living in Eretz Yisrael
Ramban, Rambam and modern poskim on the mitzvah of yishuv eretz yisrael.
- Rabbi Gedaliah Jaffe-DansDeals, Vending Machines, and Amazon
The Talmud discusses events set into action pre-shabbat. Later poskim applied the concept to vending machines. How does this apply to on-line sales?
- Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Which Way to Face When Davening
Which way to face when the aron kodesh isn’t facing east? Discusses hashkafa of facing the Torah and/or Jerusalem (both are central to us).
- Rabbi Dov Winston-The Torah, Life and Thought of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein
Biography of R’Moshe and his writings. Specific focus on his role as poseik the Iggrot Moshe and his response on chalav yisrael and artificial insemination.
- Rabbi Ari Wasserman-Parshas Lech Lecha – why don’t we “invite” people to a Bris Milah?
Why do we have a seudah (festive meal) at a brit? Why do we need a minyan there? Why the concern for inviting to a brit (and why is it any different than a wedding)? What is defined as an invitation? There are a number of possible reasons why one might be able to pass on an invite.
- Rabbi Nosson Rich-Mishna Berura Yomi: Hilchos Eruvin 366-5
You generally can’t use a prusah (piece) for the eruv food (but there are exceptions). Usually the eruv is given to the community rabbi erev pesach.
- Rabbi Dr. Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff-Torah Admits Western Culture?
Concluding thoughts on inviting non-Sabbath observers on Shabbat as well as honesty in business and attending non-torah events (e.g. sports)
- Rabbi Allen Schwartz-Mashiach in Jewish Texts and Tradition – 01 – Introduction
Insights into references to Moshiach.
- Rabbi Motti Neuburger-Halachik Appeals Court- Part 1
The yishuv hayashan (early Israeli chareidim?) were against the chief rabbinate and thus against an appeals system. There are, however, biblical and Talmudic antecedents to an appeals system. TBC.
- Rabbi Larry Rothwachs-Matters of the Mind: Torah Perspectives on Mental Illness
There are many mental health questions that need to be asked. Focus here on R’Asher Weiss’s OCD tshuva.
- Rabbi Shay Schachter-Making Chessed a Priority
One needs to both feel rachum v’chanun (merciful) and act on those feelings. One should seek out these opportunities (R’Moshe-10% of your time)
- Rabbi Yehuda Turetsky-Which Rishonim Do We Pasken Like? Appreciating the Approaches of Shulchan Aruch and Rama
Shulchan aruch, Rama and the sfardi vs. ashkenazi methodology of psak.
- Rabbi Michael Taubes-Davening in a Language Other Than Lashon HaKodesh
Praying in any language is subject to a number of restrictions – at least public prayer. (Me – at what point did we lose the ability/knowledge to accurately translate prayer?)
- Rabbi Jonathan Ziring-Fundraising in a Globalized World – Who are Aniyei Ircha?
Reprise of a previously reviewed topic – has community been redefined in the internet age? Do charitable priorities differ when considering institutions vs. individuals?
- Rabbi Avishai David -Parameters of מעשה אבות סימן לבנים
Ramban on maaseh avot/simon l’banim as providing lessons for future generations. One should look for role modeling in their rabbeim.
- Dr. Yardaena Osband-Birthrights and Playing Favorites in Sefer Bereshit
Parenting lessons from the avot.
- Rabbi Yehoshua Grunstein-Friday night in STANDARD TIME- The PITFALLS and the PROMISE
There are issues that come to the fore when Shabbat gets early or you make early Shabbat; a number of them are discussed here.
- Rabbi Nosson Rich-Mishna Berura Yomi: Hilchos Eruvin 366-6
One person can make the eruv for many by way of zichui, even to include future entrants.
- Rabbi Motti Neuburger-Translating Torah Sh’beal Peh Debate- Part 2-The Pinner Shas Scandal
The case of the German translation that ran aground – the chatam sofer originally supported it based on the assumed translator, he later changed his mind. Meta question is whether making the text available to the masses is a good thing. Local question is whether the translator is trustworthy.
- Rabbi Shaya Katz-Legends & Lessons: Rabbeinu Yonah
Biography of Rabbeinu Yonah. A major issue is his opposition to the Rambam and the (possible) relationship of said opposition to the writing of the Shaarei Tshuva. Some discussion of general teshuva as well.
- Rabbi Yom Tov Glaser-Relationship Between Prophecy and Psychodelic Medicine
Doing HKBH’s will is the lowest rung on the ladder. Spirituality (limudei Hashem) is higher than knowledge (limudei ratzon Hashem).
- Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Ten Minute Halacha – Kashrus of Braces, Retainers, Dentures and Teeth
Do you need several sets of teeth to avoid kashrut issues? Probably not, but it couldn’t hurt (well, I guess it could!)
- Rabbi Yonatan Admoni-Is The Doctor Guilty Of Murder By Not Calling For Assistance?
One only has questions if one has desire to sin (this doesn’t cohere with my experience)
One should connect with HKB’H or be liable (like Dr. who doesn’t call for help)
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