by Steve Brizel
The Long March
R. Aharon Lichtenstein, based upon his understanding of Rashi, Ramban and the Rambam in the Moreh Nevuchim, underscores the importance that one accomplishes with even a seemingly limited amount of Talmud Torah and Chesed is important in its own right: link (DOC)R. Shlomo Riskin suggests that we should always remember our places of origin in looking to the future: linkClick here to read moreYishuv Eretz Yisrael
R. Berel Wein suggests that all of the details of the journeys are to underscore that the settlement of Eretz Yisrael will require human initiative, as opposed to supernatural events: linkR. Hershel Shachter outlines the presence of the Jewish People, both communally and individually, enhances the sanctity of Eretz Yisrael: link
The Cities of Refuge
R. Jonathan Sacks, based upon his reading of Rambam in Rotzeach Ushmiras HaNefefesh 7:8, Yesodei HaTorah 5:5 and a Mishnah in Sanhedrin and the absolute protection provided to a resident of a city of refuge and his defenseless outside of such a domain, argues that in Halacha, the rights of the individual are paramount over those of the community: linkR. Ephraim Buchwald suggests that the critical role of witnesses and testimony illustrates the paramount value of life within Halacha: linkR. Mordechai Kamenetsky, based upon the life of R. Aryeh Levine zt"l, reminds us that even when the Torah prescribes a punishment, it must be accompanied by teachingand rehabilitation: link
Chodesh Av and Tishah B'Av
R. Michael Rosensweig analzyes the binding nature of Tishah B'Av, as opposed to other fasts relating to calamities of the past: linkR. Yitzchak Etshalom explores the nature of the Three Weeks as reflecting a rejection of the Torah and the origin, structure and purpose of Megilas Eicha: link 1 (PDF), link 2 (PDF), link 3 (PDF)R. Yaakov Haber (formerly of RIETS) points out the dual nature of Tishah B'Av as a day combining Aveilus and Teshuvah: linkR. Yosef Tzvi Rimon reviews the Halachos of Tishah B'Av with special emphasis on when Tishah B'Av occurs on a Sunday: linkR. Eliakim Koenigsberg and R. Avishai David, based upon the teachings of Rav Soloveitchik zt"l, underscores the halachic differences between Avelus Yeshanah and Aveilus Chadasha and Tishah B'Av before and after Chatzos: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio)R. Joshua Flug reviews many of the halachos surrounding the reading of Megilas Eicha: linkR. Asher Weiss surveys many of the Halachos of Tishah B'Av: link
by Steve Brizel
10:07 PM
Gil Student
