by Joel Rich
From the Art Scroll Talmud – I find the English and Hebrew comparison fascinating. Which translation do you think he’s referring to? Why?
HaRav Elyashav said “Because of the times we live in it is a mitzvah gedolah, a great mitzvah to proceed with this project”. He requested that the following be inserted into this volume in his name:
(my free translation of the original Hebrew) Since we live in a undisciplined generation (dor parutz) to all types of different translations by the uneducated (kalei deah) who raise their hands (poshtim yadam) (against) the holiness of the Talmud and the oral law, thus, in my opinion there are no greater exigent circumstances (eit laasot lashem) then this, and it is a great mitzvah to continue this enterprise.
I’m collecting explanations as to why the Rambam starts hilchot talmud torah with a list of those exempted.
Any contributions appreciated
- Rabbi Azarya Berzon-Contemporary Issues related to Corona
Two Covid-19 related questions from R’Zylberstein with “interesting” answers.
If the person in the next bed has matzot but is incapable of eating them (or giving them) can you take them to do the mitzvah? (yes??!!)
Can you use the ezrat nashim for men even though it means no nashim can attend services? (Yes ?!) - Rabbi Hershel Schachter-The Poetic Visions of the Chazon Ish2
A brief bio and a presentation of a number of the opinions of the Chazon Ish including: His poetic style; He did not learn in a particular Yeshiva (me – wasn’t that a knock against R’Steinsaltz?); New manuscripts (not); Zebu kashrut; Where is the dateline?; Shiurim; Eruvin; Mikvaot and the significance of the year 4000.
- Dr. Yardaena Osband-Chesed, Comfort, and Care: Talmudic Responses to Suffering
Talmudic stories teach us to: empathize with those who suffer, use adversity as an opportunity to change and remember how fortunate we are to have a long term destiny with HKB”H.
- Rabbi Netanel Wiederblank-Mincha during a meal: What constitutes and interruption
When are other brachot/tfilot considered a break in a meal for purposes of necessitating new birchat hanehenin? When is a meal truly finished? (me – MB – not until we say birchat hamazon)
- Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Rav Moshe Feinstein and His Halachic Adversaries – Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and Returning From a Life Saving Mission
A quick bio of R’SZA and then on to R’MF vs. the world on allowing hatzalah drivers to drive home on Shabbat after a call.
- Moshe Kurtz-Veal and Foie Gras: When Is Harm to Animals Permissible?
Discussion of force-fed animals including issues of tzaar baalei chaim and treifot. When does the benefit outweigh the cost?
- Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Ten Minute Halacha – Joining a Zimun If You Only Drank
Two guys wash for bread, what is the minimum the third can drink (and of what) to form a zimmun?
- Rabbi Aviad Tabory-Zecher LaMikdash or Zecher LeChurban
Tisha B’av has aspects of fasting, which is about the future, and mourning which is about the past. This parallels R’YBS on zecher l’mikdash (remembering the grandeur for the future) and zecher l’churban (remembering the destruction).
- Rabbi Shay Schachter-Understanding God’s Upside Down World – Emunah Series Part 4
We are not capable of understanding how HKB”H runs the world. Here are some ways how to see that it’s all good if we could view it through HKB”H’s eyes.
- Rabbi Moshe Sokoloff-What Needs To Be Done When An Issue With A Sefer Torah Arises During Lainin
First of two parts. It’s an urban legend that if you take out the wrong sefer torah you’re stuck with it. It depends on tircha [bother](subjective) kavod (sefer torah) and possibly on ein maavirin[don’t pass over].
Then on to part one of what to do if an error is found in the sefer (when you find it is a particularly important driver.) - Rabbi Moshe Sokoloff-When two older brothers die from Mila what is the din for baby 3?
If two brothers died from mila (at eight days?) is the third brother permanently off the hook? Till 13? Till he’s stronger?
- Rabbi Dani Rapp-Can One Visit Germany?
Laws regarding returning to Egypt and Spain as precursors to whether one can return to Germany. [me-Darshinan Tama D’kra?]
- Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Ten Minute Halacha – Tu b’Av
What happened on Tu B’av and what are the halachot of the day?
- Rabbi Azarya Berzon-Contemporary Issues related to Corona
Two Covid-19 related questions from R’Zylberstein with “interesting” answers.
If the person in the next bed has matzot but is incapable of eating them (or giving them) can you take them to do the mitzvah? (yes??!!)
Can you use the ezrat nashim for men even though it means no nashim can attend services? (Yes ?!) - Rabbi Aryeh Leibowitz-Defining and Acquiring Dveykus
Defining dveikut (Rambam/Ramban) – it’s both a commandment and a promise.
- Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-From The Rabbi’s Desk – Nochrim Supporting Kollel Couple
How do we reconcile two gemaras about taking tzedaka from non-bnai brit? Perhaps it’s a function of need, publicity and/or individual vs. organization.
What to do if you make early Shabbat and then realize you have your earpods in? (Find a neighbor who didn’t accept Shabbat yet) - Rabbi Yoni Mandelstam-Yiras Shamayim in Practical, Halachik Scenarios
What is yiraah? What are examples where yiraah makes a difference in halacha?
- Rabbi Avishai David-The Power of Tefillah: Ein Od Milvado
HKB”H always hears our prayers but responds based on “where we are”. We try to make ourselves more worthy.
- Rabbi David Ebner: Pleading the Fifth: Musings on the Middle of Maimonides’ Hilchot Teshuva
Why does the Rambam mention in the koteret to hilchot tshuva that he will discuss some ikarim?
Free will et al is required to understand the concept of tshuva.
There’s a big difference between being smart and being wise. - Rabbi Moshe Taragin-Sichat Mussar for PArshat Eikev: 3 Pesukim About Our Return to Israel; Two Medieval Seforim About 613
Our redemption through the modern state of Israel comes slowly but methodically.
Bad middot are not prohibited but contain their own intrinsic punishment.
Don’t be haughty; always seek moral/ethical input from others. - Rabbi Chayim Soloveichik-Benching on a Kezayit: The Ultimate Bribe
Why does HKB”H favor bnai yisrael for saying birchat hamazon on smaller amounts that he required? We do what’s right today and HKB”H will take care of the rest. Our role is to be mikadeish shem shamayim.
- Rabbi Shaul Margoliot , Rabbi Dr Benny Brown-/8/20 – Show 284 – Divide in Ger; a hashkafic and historical understanding
Political or hashkafic?; P’shischa to Kotz to Ger – the differences; B’iyun or Bekius what changed; much moreHow to understand what might appear, to the untutored eye,to be political/personal splits in Ger chassidut.
- Rabbi Mayer E. Twersky-Rambam’s Ikkarei HaEmunah #1
The Rambam’s first principle is to have essential, absolute knowledge of HKB”H’s exclusive existence. Gaavah (haughtiness) is the exact opposite.
- Rabbi Yaakov Werblowsky-Parshas Ekev – Is it permissible to fear danger?
Is it a mitzvah not to have any fear in battle or is it simply HKB”H’s promise that we won’t fear?
- Rabbi Mayer E. Twersky-Rambam’s Ikkarei HaEmunah #2
Yichud hashem is about realizing that HKB”H is unique and, for us, unknowable. Then on to a discussion of the Rambam and Raavad on incorporeality.
- Yirmiyahu – Dr. Tammy Jacobowitz
Covid messages from Yermiyahu: (1) It’s not easy to tell truth from fiction (especially if it’s bad news) (2) How stable are out communities (how much hypocrisy and social justice do our actions exhibit)? (3) Sometimes you need to live a life of social isolation.
Includes a brief review of Yirmiyahu’s messages for his time and ours. - Rabbi Dani Rapp-Do Animals Have Free Will
Do animals have any degree of free will? Are they subject to reward and punishment? Maybe – it could be of a limited nature and perhaps only related to interactions with humans.
- Rabbi Mayer E. Twersky-Rambam’s Ikkarei HaEmunah #3
The fourth essential is that HKB”H exists(ed) before everything, really he exists beyond time. Interesting insights: (1) The Rambam’s definition of min and why praying to angels or the dead is wrong but not heretical. (2) Differentiating between heretical actions and beliefs
- Rabbi Michael Taubes-Parshas Eikev Tefillah BeTzibbur What is the Nature of the Obligation
What is the nature of tfila b’tizibbur (me-and hatzibbur)? It’s probably drabannan but still very important.
- Rabbi Yona Reiss,Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman-Hilchos Gerus #17 – Practical Issues of Gerus
History of geirus in the modern US with focus on the RCA’s evolution to GPS. Some interesting specific issues such as USSR and IVF related conversions.
Please direct any informal comments to [email protected].
