by Joel Rich

Question raised: That has reawakened in me the question of why did Chazal cancel shiva

because of Yom tov?

My answer:As one who sat shiva at the cemetery on erev Pesach, I tried to keep in mind R’YBS’s insight into true simcha as being lfnai hashem (which is what we’re supposed to be on shalosh regalim). Seeing it through HKB”H’s eyes it’s all good (we are human and so don’t experience it as such). So: She-nir’eh et nehamat Yerushalayim u-binyanah bi-mherah ve-yamenu, which will allow us all to see more clearly

Sheldon Solomon is a social psychologist at Skidmore College. He earned his B.A. from Franklin and Marshall College and his doctoral degree from the University of Kansas. He is best known for developing terror management theory, along with Jeff Greenberg and Tom Pyszczynski which is concerned with how humans deal with their own sense of mortality

Sheldon Solomon – “I feel like there’s a real sense in which doing these studies and writing books and lecturing has been my way of avoiding directly confronting my anxieties by turning it (me – fear of death) into an intellectual exercise” [Me – sounds like it could’ve been said by R’Chaim]

• Gil Student: Where are the Lines?

  Is it dangerous to review an interview with your boss? If this is my last audio roundup, you’ll know the answer is yes!
  R’Gil is an “unorthodox theologian” (orthodox not used in the religious sense) along with other titles (e.g. actuary).
  He presents his thoughts on biblical criticism/philosophy (we can learn orthodox lessons from seeming discontinuities), James Kugel (nice try but), social dangers of biblical criticism, the impact of the internet and the Slifkin wars. Reminded me of the Ramban on no slam dunk proofs (especially about the long past).
  While R’Gil is of the keep pushing until you fall off your feet school, I’d point out that for some, getting regular sleep results in greater total productivity.

• Rabbanit Iris Odani Elyashiv-מנהגי חודש אלול חודש הרחמים והסליחות

  Elul mussar and chizuk.

• Dr. Rivkah Blau-A Daughter’s Memoir of the Life of Rav Mordechai Pinchas and Reb. Basya Teitz

  R’Teitz’s (v’raayato’s) life story. Very compelling.

• Rabbi Yosef Sayagh-New Shatnez Findings

  Major take away – recycled fibers are a big shatnez problem according to some poskim. There may be many household applications (blankets, pillows, mattresses…) if you have such soft items which shatnez might apply to. (me – it’s complex)

• Rabbi Etan Schnall-Practical Avoda for Elul: Chesbhon HaNefesh

  The time you spend going to shul is a good time to do a cheshbon hanefesh (and it can also count as tshuva.)

• Rabbi Shaya Katz-Halacha from Gemara: Rebuke Review #1

  Part of a series. Is only unexpressed hate prohibited as a separate transgression?

• Rabbi Judah Kerbel-Pirkei Avot 5:13 – Four Types of Tzedakah

  Consider permutations of giving tzedaka yourself (or not) or others giving (do you object?) – discussion of why one might feel this way or act this way and what are the relative pros and cons of each combination.

• Rav Asher Weiss-לא תשחית את עצה
  

  Discussion of the scope of and reasons underpinning bal taschit. Practical applications discussed. Especially interesting are those questions which are on a broader communal basis (e.g. price support dumping).

• Rabbi Michael Taubes-Parshas Shoftim Mitzvos MiDeRabbanan – Why Are Rabbinic Laws Binding

  Is lo tasur (not defying rabbinic rules) applicable on specific ordinances or on the Rabbis’ underlying authority?

• Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer,Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein, Rabbi Steven Pruzansky ,David M. Weinberg-8/22/20 – Show 286 – The Israel-UAE Accord: What Happened and Why is it Important?
  Was it worth giving up sovereignty? What is the Torah approach to this issue? Which important players have been overlooked? And other fascinating questions…

  A great example of everyone being entitled to their own narrative!
  Saddest comment – Not enough consideration has been given to running a state al pi torah. (Me – worth thinking about where that’s true and why)

• Rabbi Azarya Berzon-Rambam Hilchot Talmud Torah, 1:1, the nature and status of a woman vis-a-vis the mitzva of Talmud Torah

  What is the nature of a woman’s relationship to talmud torah and birchat hatorah? Is learning to do a mitzvah part of talmud torah?

• Rabbi Jonathan Ziring-Becoming Servants of God: A Theme in Shema

  Shma is not just a statement of faith but also a call to action. Tzitzit are included as a sign of our complete servitude to HKB”H.

• Rabbi Pinchas Landis-Great Fights in Jewish History, Session 4 – Waking Up The Jews (Part 1): Chasidim, Their Opponents, and The Mussar Movement

  A brief discussion of the Baal Shem Tov and some differences between chassidim and mitnagdim.

• Rabbi Yosef Eisen-Kasharut Presentation

  Summer kashrut issues including: Food trucks; sushi (bishul akum); Questionable hashgachas; Delivery supervision; Vitamins and nutrition products; Slurpees; Appliances and Coffee.

• Rabbi Pinchas Landis-You Might Be A Heretic If… (Session 1-Introduction)

  Intro to the Rambam’s ikkarim. They fall into three categories – (1) Belief in HKB”H (5) (2) Giving of the torah (4) (3) Consequences and responsibility (4). This is a first in a series

• Miriam Krupka-Kohelet

  Discussion of Kohelet’s authorship, approach and structure. The rhetorical technique include logic, emotion and claim of personal credibility. The content seems messy and contradictory and a number of approaches have been suggested? (1) heretic/different speakers (2) statements with limited applicability (me – ukimta’s) (3) it’s human to be self-contradictory at different times/stages of life)

• The Hock: Episode 1

  (1) Already strained Jewish units (people, schools, shuls) are even more strained by Covid. Long term effects are unclear but could be significant. (me – key is when people see themselves as consumers vs. stake holders)
  (2) Is the community becoming more politically polarized? (yes)

• Rabbi Shraga Kallus-The Wonderful Bracha of Borei Nefashot (Part 1/2)

  Part I – Talmudic sources on the bracha of borei nfashot. Does chesronam refer to the non-nutritious food (not pat or mezonot) or to the fact that we’re not self-sufficient.

• Rabbi Zev Smith-Frumkeit Vs. Krumkeit

  Chumrah is wonderful but not at others’ expense. It’s always best to be mvater!

• Rabbi Moshe Taragin-Torah of HaRav Aharon Lichtenstein About Teshuva: Part 1- Forgetting G-d : Obligation and Opportunity

  Elul mussar from R’Aharon for shanna alef guys. It’s all about having a proper frame of reference and executing on it.

• Rabbi Daniel Belsky-Q & A: Tefillah and Elul

  What does it mean to pray and how should we do it. Best moment – something along the lines of “some big talmid chacham suggested the difference between the Rambam and Ramban was the question of are we always in an eit tzarah” (hmm – who could that be?)

• Rabbi Yehoshua Grunstein-COVID19 That “falls out” during the High Holidays

  Yamim Noraim Covid issues including: Is there a greater need to daven with a minyan?; What can be skipped?; Shofar blowing (how, #kolot)?; Kol nidrei – when to say?

• Rabbi Shay Schachter-May One Blow a Shofar Through a Mask?

  Part I of shofar bowing during Covid – could you put something over the shofar’s mouthpiece? No-it’s a requirement there for a direct connection (more than the usual chatzitza rules)

• Rabbi Baruch Simon-Long Beach Shiur: The halachot of the pandemic during the times of Rabbi Yisrael Salanter, Rabbi Akiva Eiger,

  Cholera epidemic stories: (1) R’Akiva Eiger – introduction of multiple kaddish sayers and his yamim noraim instructions (2) Chatam Sofer on why his Yeshiva guys didn’t get sick (3) R’Salanter made Kiddush on Yom Kippur (me – controversy over exactly what took place) (4) Getting an extra night for Kiddush levana (sorry I didn’t hear this in Av)

• Dr. Aaron Koller -Daniel

  Some thoughts on the structure, content (including narratives and visions) and language (Hebrew and Aramaic) of the Book of Daniel.

• Rav Dovid Gottlieb -Parshat Shoftim

  Parsha insights including: Lo tasur scope and application; The King as a role model and the meaning of the army exemptions listed in the parsha.

• Rabbi Moshe Taragin-Torah of HaRav Aharon Lichtenstein About Teshuva: Part 2- Opportunity and Obligation

  Does opportunity (e.g. tshuva) imply an obligation to take advantage of it? (me – yes!)

• Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky-Tzedaka Part 1

  Part I of a series on tzedaka – what is the scope of the chiyuv (aseh and lo taaseh)?

• Rabbi Dr. Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff-Look to the Past & Create your Future

  Don’t forget your past but rather build on it.

Please direct any informal comments to [email protected].