by Joel Rich
It’s interesting that often the defense of higher tziniut dress standards is they are necessary because of the concomitant lower standards in the outside world. I wonder why we don’t see a similar movement demanding higher standards for a tzniut lifestyle for both men and women. An example might be that institutions should not encourage expensive events for fundraising, and that smachot and holiday programs should also be less ostentatious in times where the general society focuses on ostentation. Any thoughts on why?
Shidduchim crisis? Chulin 83a has a statement that the Mishna teaches us that it is “orach ara” (normal practice) for the groom’s family to put in more effort than the bride’s family for the wedding festivities. It doesn’t seem to say this is halachically required; only that it’s common practice. Any thoughts on why that was, and what it is now and why?
- Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky-Yom Haatzmaut Q&A
Israel Q&A including: why didn’t the panel make Aliyah? (All decisions involve many personal factors), how to stay close to Israel from the outside, should aliya be a dating issue, polarization and finding the right community (easier now), yom haatzmaut practices (don’t get hung up on specifics/be makir tov), responding to anti-israel polemics, and careers in the rabbanut.
My comments: 1 Channeling the Lubavitcher Rebbe to R J Sacks – “one doesn’t find oneself in circumstances, one puts oneself in them” 2 OK, but when HKBH asks you why you didn’t come, what will you say? (try my experiment – stand in front of the mirror and say your answer out loud).
- Rabbi Osher Weiss-פרשת אחרי מות – קדושים: ובחוקותיהם לא תלכו
Chukat hagoyim practices defined: Rama/Maharik (only if pritzut or no reason) vs the Gaon (permissible only if the source in torah/yahadut), and why is a unique haircut allowed for karov/malchut? (parameters were nimsar lchachamim, or hatzalat nefashot or the prohibition is dependent on the ultimate goal). Specific applications discussed. (I would’ve liked more discussion of how the first people to do something might be wrong but if enough people do it, it becomes OK).
- Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Ten Minute Halacha – Should Women say “Kel Melech Ne’eman” in Kerias Shema?
Women are not chayav in kriat shma but are in kabalat ol malchut shamayim. What is the significance (especially to women) of the #248? (FWIW, current thought is that humans have 208 bones).
- Rabbi Shay Schachter-Wearing Shaatnez & Halachik Dilemmas Learned From Shaatnez
Kavod habriyot involving shatnez and other examples where life requires us to pick the better of non-optimal options.
- Rabbi Tzvi Sinensky-The Middle Road Not Taken: The Religious Zionism of Rabbi Norman Lamm zt”l
R Lamm was very Zionistic, but not a short-term messianic Zionist.
- Rabbi Tanchum Cohen-How Much To Give, part 1 | Hilchos Tzedaka #1 (Yoreh Deah 249:1-2, 250:1,3)
Introduction to a series on tzedakah. We often look at it from both the giver’s and the recipient’s perspective. What are the minimums, maximums and how do you allocate? TBC
- Rabbi Chaim Eisenstein-Twenty Minute Mussar: Eating Mehadrin or Living Mehadrin
Kashruth is about kedusha is about a lifestyle (mahut).
- Rabbi Dr. Jason Weiner -Understanding the Rema’s Ruling about Removing Salt from Tongue of Goses מלח על לשונו
The gemara’s end-of-life case of taking salt off the tongue is subject to several interpretations which have implications for modern technologies (eg respirators).
- Mrs. Dvora Entin,Rabbi Tuvia Kasimov4/29/23 – Shiur 417 – Miscarriage in Halacha
Miscarriages and infant mortality have physical and emotional after effects (especially in our times when they are much rarer than in earlier generations.) How does halacha reflect these effects in hilchot nida, burial, autopsy, naming, kaddish, shiva and pidyon?
- Rabbi Moshe Taragin-Egypt, The Holocaust, And The Final Redemption
Change is gradual, Jewish history is cyclical and we must be nuanced in dealing with modernity.
In Yechezkeil, we see that sometimes redemption is in response to chillul hashem.
- Rabbi Yona Reiss-Dayan’s Desk #115 – Teshuvos of HaRav Gedalia Dov Schwartz, Even Haezer and Choshen Mishpat #8
More R DG Schwartz tshuvot: get using stepfather’s name (maybe OK), get “on behalf” of husband (no good),R MF vs R Henkin on civil marriage (and conservative and reform), store’s hasagat gvul (rare), Israeli court system (realistic not aspirational) and rabbinic positions transferred by inheritance (generally yes).
- Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz-The Mitzvah of Yishuv Eretz Yisrael
Rambam vs Ramban on yishuv eretz yisrael as a mitzvah with exceptions in case of necessity. Also discussed, the three shavuot and various orthodox responses to Zionism.
- Rabbi Netanel Wiederblank-The Connection between Tchiyas HaMaisim and Olam Haba
There’s some debate (especially regarding corporeality) about the nature of olam haba, tchiyat hameitim an olam hanishamot, however the main thing is eternal spiritual life.
- Rabbi Hershel Schachter-Series: 30th Yahrzeit of the Rav: Rav Hershel Schachter (Inyanei Eretz Yisrael)
Topics include: kibbush milchama doesn’t work on eretz yisrael, source of kdushat yisrael (personal and land), kibush rishon, sheini and personal, smicha based on klal yisrael in eretz yisrael, mitzva to establish Jewish government in eretz yisrael, mitzvah yeshivat eretz yisrael (kiyumit?), and tearing today on yerushalayim/mikdash.
- Rabbi Michael Taubes-Parshas Acharei Mos-Kedoshim Giving Away Land for Peace in Eretz Yisrael
Does lo tchaneim include only idol worshippers? War overrides pikuach nefesh except if you know (me-how?) that it’s a losing battle.
- Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst-Shuddichim: marrying for hakaros hatov, history of attempted suicide & more
Questions concerning when shidduch information disclosure is required such as a one-time suicide attempt as a teen and lying about job, age … Should hakarat hatov be a factor in a shidduch?
- Rabbi Zev Smith-Challenging Kitchen Kasharut Questions
- Rabbi Isaac Rice-The Transmission and Importance of Kabbalah
Traditional history of kabbalah/zohar, and its various streams. We need it because if you don’t have it, and only use intellect, you’ll be led astray in this world (me-?)
- Rabbi Dov Fink-Historical Dissection: Halacha’s Integration of Medical Sciences
Examples of the evolution of medical knowledge and halacha (and how chazal understood mtziut?) Including fertility (isha mazria tchila), fasting (impact on pregnancy), and mtzitza bpeh (physical or spiritual danger?)
Overall theory – science takes it all apart (micro-focus), religion puts it all together (holistic world view?)
- Rabbi Shimmy Steinmetz-Current Issues in Halacha and Patient Autonomy
There are limited examples of patient autonomy in halacha (eg trading off chayei shaah for chayei olam) but in general we are not owners but only guardians of our bodies/lives (so follow halacha, not your gut).
- Rabbi Shua Katz-Houses of Worship: The House Minyan in Halacha and Communal Life
The bet knesset (as reflected in halacha) has both a utilitarian purpose (place to pray, especially with sefer tora) and a “corporate” purpose (acting as a communal headquarters which defines the community). (me-I see this a lot more in chul than aretz).
- Rabbi Aryeh Leibowitz-Knowing God as a Prerequise to Serving Him
The obligation to study emuna (as best as one can since we will never completely understand HKBH) is because knowledge leads to love which leads to better avodat hashem.
- Rabbi Shraga Kallus-I Hate Giving A Speech About Technology
Technology (smartphones et al) leads to relationship issues leads to everyone needing therapy. Hold the line, especially for young children.
- Rabbi Mordechai I. Willig-The Halachic Prenup
Discussion of the history and mechanics of pre-nups (also includes practical applications).
- Rabbi Shraga Kallus-R’ Moshe On Sefirat Haomer
Pskei R Moshe on sfira including: switching the observed 33 days due to “mitzvah” (TBD), being meikil to allow brachot (human nature might cause one to stop counting if no bracha), shaving and listen to acapella music.
- Rabbi Shraga Kallus-Two Great Shaylos
Two questions: 1 hesech hadaat in brachot and 2 when someone got more than they should have (eg wrong change).
- Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz-Perspectives on Yom Ha’atzmaut
Whether you can say hallel or not, a bit of hakarat hatov would go a long way on yom haatzmaut.
- Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Ten Minute Halacha – Ben Chutz L’Aretz Asking a Ben Eretz Yisrael to do Melacha on Yom Tov Sheini in Israel
Can a ben chul ask a ben eretz yisrael to do mlacha (on the ben chul’s body) on “2nd day” yom tov? R Moshe – no asking at all, others might allow (but not R Lebowitz).
- Rabbi Osher Weiss-נשים בספירת העומר
Is sfira a mitzva asei shehazman grama (mas”g)? If not, how do we define mas’g? Women today should count sfira!
- Rabbi Ashie Schreier-The Story of Nishmas: Its History, Authorship, and Placement
The text of nishmat evolved over time and was (somewhat?) written by someone named Shimon (TBD). The connection to az yashir is to teach us to take time to digest our lives and to be appreciative of HKBH.
Please direct any informal comments to [email protected].
