10:31 PM
Gil Student
by Joel Rich
Why did Jacob go to the Yeshiva of Shem V’aver, wasn’t the Beis Medrash of Abraham & Isaac sufficient? Why did he teach Joseph the mesora of both? There’s a Torah for living in the outside world. We can’t build moats but each home must be a mikdash meat (hmmm – trusting some parents to transmit a mesora – sounds like a novel idea but isn’t this a paradigm shift?).
Interesting insight – R’ Bulman viewed the Orthodox community as understanding that Bein Adam Lmakom is more important than Bein Adam Lchaveiro. He believed the lesson of the Hillel/Shammai/Convert story is the opposite. I’m curious as to your understanding (I was raised on Bein Adam Lchaveiro as making both God and man happy and thus the higher priority in a crunch).
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Worthwhile listening if for nothing else than the meta-introductory remarks on the complexity of life and the dangers of stereotyping. A good introduction to business issues, especially for Yeshiva dwellers who haven’t yet merited sod hashem l’yereav.
The scope of opinion on the halachik view of corporations (exists as a separate tzibbur to doesn’t exist at all) pressages varied opinions on their actions and protections.
Wide-ranging practical discussion presented to Rabbinical students concerning halachot of the month with a dose of realism concerning the importance of reflecting community needs and levels. When and where can you shorten slichot and tachanun for schools? Can you say slichot after maariv? – try to allow for more appropriate option as well. Do-over rules for shofar. Classic Sukkah issues – decorations more than 4 tefachim away from schach, Maamad, Mittztaer defined and much more.
A presentation in response to an Isha’s application to RIETS. (Maybe I’m oversensitive but I think he wasn’t thrilled.) He discusses women and Tfillin, Tzitzit and Tefila groups. His general take AIUI is the traditional role as enabler should be maintained to the extent possible, all halachik exemptions are towards fulfilling this goal.
We don’t “humanize” Hashem, as did idol worshippers, so how do we interact with him? While his transcendent essence is essentially unknowable to mortal man, his “name” is knowable, and we interact with him through his Torah (which is as close as we can come).
This series focuses on modern Jewish thinkers, the first is R’ Lifshitz known as the Tifferet Yisroel who wrote the Yachin and Boaz commentaries on the Mishnah. One theme in his commentary was to find the common thread in all the statements in single mishnayot in avot.
Part II emphasizes R’Lifshitz’s positive attitude towards the universalistic mesora.
Chinuch approach shouldn’t be carved in stone but should be a function of the chanichim. Tips on effective chinuch and changes in curriculum to meet current needs.
Discussion of halachik force (d’uraita, d’rabannan), scope (how many paragraphs) and hashkafic power of shma.
A brief survey of Moslem beliefs and comparison to Judaism and Christianity.
The ten days of petinence are not just a period to “cram” to pass the “test” but a time to reestablish and reintensify our relationship with Hakadosh Baruch Hu (the test passing is a side benefit of this goal).
At the end of Breishit, even though deep in galut, Yosef reminds us to hope for the redemption (in this case for his body). When Yosef promises Anochi Eeseh K’dvarecha, he says he will follow Yaakov’s example and aspire for Israel. R’Willig states he may not be the perfect vessel to speak on the topic. He reviews the centrality of Yishuv Eretz Yisrael to the Ramban and then gives a number of limud zchuts why it may be ok to stay in Bergenfield – primarily spiritual concerns (though others listed as well) but cautions we should focus attention on eretz yisrael and being separate in the galut. All are based on Yishuv Eretz Yisrael as a mitzvah kiyumit. (Me-so are Tzitzit and yfat toar.) mmmmm IMHO he tries to thread the needle, I often wonder how transparent the rabbinic thought process is in this area.
R. Yossi Azose discusses the famous R’Chaim re: type(s) of Kavannah needed during Shmoneh esrah. Interesting discussion of force of Rabbanan changing the tzurah of a mitzvah – can they cause you not to be yotzeh even on a duraita level once they set the bar higher?
Mant Ayin defined – important given the current trend to assur everything under categories such as this. Easy Hebrew. Is it a matter of your reputation or people thinking something that is forbidden is permitted? Duraita vs. Dabannan also discussed.
Discussion of the classic issue in the Rambam’s formulation of Lo Tachmod and Lo Titaveh and where is the action. Unique answer based on relationship theory and the location (hilchot gzeilah) of the prohibition.
