Halakhic Positions of Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik by R. Aharon Ziegler The Mitzvah of reciting the Shema involves both the act of reciting a series of words as well as having the proper intention, namely, the acceptance of the yoke of the Kingdom of Heaven. We should note that the concept of Kavanah (proper intention) regarding Kriat Shema is fundamentally ...

Halakhic Positions of Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik by R. Aharon Ziegler In the Bracha of Havdalah, we praise HaShem “Who distinguishes between Kodesh and Chol (holy and secular), between light and darkness, between Israel and the nations”. The distinction between light and darkness is an obvious one, clearly for all to perceive. The distinction between Kodesh and Chol (profane), however, ...

Halakhic Positions of Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik by R. Aharon Ziegler In the secular world, the underlying theme of “taking a census” is that the individual, the YACHID, means nothing; he is but a number. Only the masses are important; only the total nation collectively is meaningful. Only statistical facts are to be gleaned from a census- the average income, ...

Halakhic Positions of Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik by R. Aharon Ziegler After the conclusion of Shabbat we are not permitted to eat before reciting Havdalah over a cup of wine (Havdalah al HaKos). This is true even if we have already recited Havdalah during Arvit, which serves to remove the prohibition of performing forbidden work. While we find in many ...

Halakhic Positions of Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik by R. Aharon Ziegler According to Rav Soloveitchik, the main goal of the Torah is to establish a world dominated by peace, understandings patience and a resolve to settle differences amicably. Some people turn to the Bible with accusations, quoting the Torah’s statements about the seven nations of K’na’an and the command not ...

Halakhic Positions of Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik by R. Aharon Ziegler (19:3) “VE-ET SHABTOTAI TISH’MORU”-[And you shall observe my Shabbatot]. The Zohar in parashat Teruma notes that the plural “SHABTOTY” signifies two Shabbatot, Shabbat of above, and the earthly Shabbat below. This means, that when Adam HaRishon ate the forbidden fruit, HaShem cursed him (Bereishit 3:17). However, since GD also ...

Halakhic Positions of Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik by R. Aharon Ziegler The Gemara Pesachim (56a) records, that Yaakov Avinu recited the phrase of “Baruch shem kevod malchuto le’olam “(Blessed be the name of His kingdom forever) upon hearing the declaration of Shema by his sons. However, since the phrase was not included by Moshe Rabbeinu in the Shema section of ...

Halakhic Positions of Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik by R. Aharon Ziegler The opening Mishna of Gemara Pesachim (2a) tell us that on the night before the first Seder, we must search for chametz by the light of a candle. Why a candle? The Gemara explains by citing two biblical passages, “At that time (of Moshiach) I (GD) will search out ...

Halakhic Positions of Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik by R. Aharon Ziegler Kedusha often symbolizes itself by the concept of withdrawal; for example, Kedushat Shabbat obligates a person to refrain from productive work of the 39 melachot. However, we must also sanctify the Shabbat through positive actions, and not merely through passive abstentions. One such way we are Mekadesh the day, ...

Halakhic Positions of Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik by R. Aharon Ziegler At the end of Sefer Shemot (35:2), at the very conclusion of GD’s command to Moshe regarding the Mishkan, HaShem once again appends a warning regarding keeping Shabbat. Rav Soloveitchik explained, in the name of his great grandfather, the Bet Halevi, (Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitcik-died May 1 1992). that ...