10:32 PM
Gil Student
by Joel Rich
Parallels in history reflecting not wanting to be part of covenantal destiny.
Click here to read more
Again, better to listen to the originals.
1. Science & halacha – R’SZA says quote nishtaneh hatvaiim (nature changed) as primary response to seeming inconsistencies between science now and torah/ science old and R’Avraham ben ha Rambam as "yesh omrim" (secondary)
2. General discussion of science issues
3. R’Brander discussed women/tfila
4. Being mchallel shabbat for saving a non-ben-brit person.
5. Economic crisis – R’Levine says due to moral failure (if only everyone observed halacha, it wouldn’t have happened)
Understanding the Volozhin model (your continued/continuous Talmud torah keeps the world spinning) and the focus on thinking (only think as mesorah thinks) and how can we reach more students by teaching sugyot using a more (my word) relevant methodology.
Differing paths exist (e.g. theory of everything vs. sugyot doesn’t necessarily reconcile) and why certain questions aren’t asked and certain answers aren’t answered.
Worthwhile especially if you’ve never been exposed to anything outside of traditional Brisk/Litvak.
Sfirah – Rabbinic or torah requirement? Lots of lamdut, 2 practical applications – intent and counting during bein hashmasmot (twilight).
Is there a preference for Jerusalem over the rest of Israel? Chatam Sofer said yes for dividing Tzedakah. R’Lichtenstein posits a differential between individual and tzibbur (e.g. Ramban – Is the chiyuv of yishuv eretz yisrael on individual and/or tzibbur?) {me – in general our generation seems a lot more focused on individual vs. tzibbur}
Again, listen to the originals if you have the time, but this is a good summary. Pronunciation issues + Kashrut issues + brief summary of hetera vs. issur baala and implications. Why do we do 6 kinyanim (acts of ownership) for mchirat chametz?
Summary – Review of times and rules regarding accepting Shabbat early (mincha, candles, maariv, kriat shma). Remember – try not to have mincha and maariv in the same halachik time zone (e.g. between plag and shkia) (arghhh! me – classic example of how bdieved becomes l’chatchilah {like sfira in shul before tzeit????})
An interesting (albeit off the beaten track) call for a review of halacha in a world where autonomy reigns. [Parallel to original Chassidic movement?] Goal is to attract all Jews to live in the presence of God. Not to make life easier through leniencies but to make it more meaningful.
The nature of the day of chol hamoed. Is the prohibition of mlacha from torah or Rabbis; what is (are) the real prohibition(s). Some interesting halachik implications based on the above (me – it’s very easy to forget about the moed part al admat nechar {in a foreign land}].
What is the meaning of the prohibition of hating? A number of opinions: 1) hating in your heart; 2) acting on it; 3) give to tochacha (don’t hold it in). Hate the sin, not the sinner?
Primarily a rerun of earlier reviewed TIM shiur? I’m still fascinated by how blithely we say that today we can’t judge personal merit/worthiness so we disregard what the rules would have been. (See the latest RCA manifesto)
Also a new thought on practical giving/defining priorities – list your priorities based on halacha and then give a declining sequence to each (don’t fill top need with all your money but give Y=at least ½ x {where x is your charity budget) to top priority; then give at least ½ (x – y) to next category etc. {I can’t wait for the actuaries' practical comments}.
