by Joel Rich
R YBS in 1958: “Only in this generation, with our skewed priorities, are exhortations regarding basic spiritual necessities necessary. Regarding kaddish over a deceased parent, a relatively minor custom is considered more important than Shabbos and Jewish education”. Me – when will they ever learn (HT-Pete Seger)
As part of our commitment to Torat Tziyon, Yeshiva University is excited to announce several pilot academic programs in Israel for qualifying undergraduate and graduate students, beginning fall 2022, along with expanded Torat Tziyon summer programs. These pilot programs will continue to strengthen our connections with Israel by providing students—especially those interested in pursuing careers in Israel or making aliyah—the full YU experience in Israel.
Me-I’d love to see a description of the “full yu experience”. Similarly, a definition of the mission/role of YU or the OU in Israel.
- Rabbi Nosson Rich-Repeating Words In Davening for the Shaliach Tzibbur and the Yachid
Repeating words in tfila could be problematic for a number of reasons (two rshuyot, bal tosif, sheker, how to speak to a king, kavana….) Specific examples and opinions discussed. (I have it on good authority that his father taught him not to repeat in lcha dodi as a lo plug)
- Rabbi Yehuda Turetsky-Are We Supposed To Be Alone? The Rav and Rabbi Sacks
R Sacks says don’t give up on the Jewish people “having friends”. Also covered R YBS insight on ger vtoshav (me-it’s nice to be home again and not be a ger!)
- Dr. William Gewirtz-The Changing Nature of Time in Halakha (Part 1)
First in a series on the calendar – what were chazal (and the ancients) trying to accomplish? What algorithms did they use? What were the inaccuracies?
- Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Rabbi Dovid Lau,Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Jonathan Pollard,Mrs. Leah Zagelbaum, Menachem Lubinsky, MK Yizchak Pindrus,Rabbi Nechemia Malinowi-2/26/22 – Shiur 360 – An eye on Eretz Yisroel – Answer the call
Advocacy journalism – Apparently Judaism is under attack in the State of Israel by those who would destroy it. As best I could tell this means anyone who thinks any changes should be considered or that the impact on anyone not of anshei shlomeinu, is seeking to destroy Judaism. No mention of coming down from the stands and joining the game. I demur.
- Rabbi Michael Rosensweig-Hashkafa Shiur – פרקי אבות פרק ב’ 1
Introduction to pirkei avot-why does it start with the list of the mesora tradition? Also covered the link between being a chassid (in Mishna terminology) and lfnim mshurat hadin.
- Rav Yaakov Neuburger-Where Are We Failing Our Children? What Can We Do About it?
Our existence is miraculous and each generation is unique and faces unique circumstances. We must know when to separate (our values) from those of general society.
- Rav Aryeh Lebowitz-Where Are We Failing Our Children? What Can We Do About it?
Materialism is a big problem today with lots of symptoms (e.g. not going into the rabbinate) Parents need to role model true values (me-that’s often the problem, they do role model their true values)
- Rabbi Itamar Rosensweig-Jurisprudence of Rights vs. Jurisprudence of Obligations Part I
Robert Cover (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Cover ) theorizes that western liberal society’s focus on rights (based on the social contract theory that the individual trades away his natural rights for group protection) could learn from Judaism’s focus on obligations (commandedness) R A Lichtenstein agrees but R I Rosensweig isn’t buying it. TBC (me-is real life so dialectic or more about nuance {e.g. compassionate conservativism})
- Dr. Menachem Kellner-Maimonides vs Judah Halevi on the Distinction Between Jew and Gentile (Part 1)
The kuzari believed Jews to be innately different than non-Jews, the Rambam didn’t. In yesodei the Rambam “proves” the existence of God using purely philosophical logic. TBC
- Rabbi Shraga Kallus-Lo Yilbash In Contemporary Times
Applications of beged isha in our strange times. (me-unfortunately no discussion of who we take into consideration in order to determine societal norms).
- Rabbi Yisroel Reisman-The Navi Look at the Non-Jewish World
Ger toshav means someone who internalized 7 mitzvot, not one who just observes them (much like matan torah was for Jews.) All humanity has this potential.
- Rabbi Zev Smith-The Dos and Don’ts of the Yarmulkah
We wear a yarmulka to increase yirat shamayim, avoid violating ubchukoteihem and (me-primarily) as a uniform. Specific situations analyzed – one key issue, is it about being without head covering or not walking without one?
- Rabbi Itamar Rosensweig-Jurisprudence of Rights vs. Jurisprudence of Obligations Part II
More on rights vs. obligations-based systems with specific focus on tzedaka.
- Rabbi Shay Schachter-Living With Questions on Hakadosh Baruch Hu
Lessons from Iyov – there are some things in life we really can’t understand.
- Rabbi Dr. Aharon Lichtenstein-Drashot haRan 11
Roles of angels and prophets.
- Rabbi Etan Moshe Berman-Shabbos with Rav Chaim Kanievsky part I
R Chaim’s practices from Thursday pm through motzai Shabbat.
- Rabbi Shay Schachter-“Rabbis & Responsa”: Jewish Baby Who Was Mistakenly Fed by a Non Jewish Woman
There’s “room to say” that there’s no timtum haleiv in a case of ones.
- Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb-Kibud Av V’em: What, Why, and How
Kavod av models our relationship with HKBH. Discussion of hashkafa and applications of kavod and mora in deed and machshava.
- Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Ten Minute Halacha – The Status of Money in the Tzedakah Box
Can you make change or borrow from a tzedakah box? It depends on what the (stam) intent was as well as whether the box was labeled.( Me- Can you make a onetime declaration of your stam intent which controls until you formally declare definitely?)
- Rabbi Ari Kahn-כיבוי גז בחג
How do we define kibui for shabbat/yom tov? Is preventing fuel from reaching the flame considered gram kibbui or not kibui at all? Interesting history of responsa on the issue.
- Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-The Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund (Charity Account)
Interesting discussion (given to rabbinical students) of the Rabbi’s discretionary fund. The rules for such a communal fund should be clearly documented. Prioritization is complex but the rules are certainly not the same as for individuals.
- Rav Asher Weiss- אין מלאכת המשכן דוחה שבת
Chillul shabbat for building the mishkan and/or mikdash, why are separate psukim needed?
- Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Ten Minute Halacha – Hagomel When You Put Yourself in Danger
Did R Akiva bentch gomeil when he left the pardes? How does that inform on a kidney donor’s obligation? Reasons why and why not to bentch gomeil if one put oneself in danger.
- Rabbi Hershel Schachter-Parshas Vayakhel- Shekalim
Lots of shkalim related issues including but not limited to: when, how much? Women and kohanim. Also discussed: 30 day before rule – does it apply to all mitzvot?; Klal Yisroel as a separate metaphysical entity across time and space; Does 20% al yivazveiz rule apply to once in a lifetime mitzvot; and Some shabbat insights.
- Rabbi Itamar Rosensweig-Jurisprudence of Rights vs. Jurisprudence of Obligations Part III
More “proofs” and counterarguments on the rights vs. obligations debate.
- Rabbi Jonathan Ziring-Aggadot of Suffering and Divine Justice (3): Varying Approaches to Theodicy
Theodicy may be about finding truth or seeking justice (me-what gets you through the night). It can be focused on free will and/or punishment. An approach of anti-theology to theodicy may mean there is no reason or we can’t know it.
- Rabbi Shay Schachter-Living With Greatness: Growing up in the Shadows of a Gadol
R H Schachter is a very humble, klal centered gadol.
- Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman-Do Results or Action Matter When Giving Tzedakah?
The role of gabbai is communal and more like a bet din in collection and distributions. The community can pick who it likes for this role
- Nechama Price: Sometimes G-d Says No
A large number approaches to Moshe’s sin presented as well as parallels to King David and Eliyahu hanavi. We should learn lessons from all the approaches. Two approaches to when great people are severely punished for “sin” (e.g. Moshe rabbeinu) – It was only a sin”at his level” or we need to understand why it was such a great sin.
- Rabbi Daniel Stein-Stam Yaynam
Yayin nesech, stam yeinam is what are the definitions and how have they (and the associated prohibitions) changed over time? Similar analysis for the status of yayin mvushal and non-religious Jews.
Please direct any informal comments to [email protected].
