9:34 PM
Gil Student
by Joel Rich
Question:
Do you know of any shuls where they switch the shliach tzibbur within the same weekday shacharit even if there is no chiyuv (e.g. “share the wealth”)? Isn’t the switch less than appropriate based on why the talmud suggests removing one?
Part of a series. Interesting comments on knowledge organization in general and in the mishnah and how the Talmud built on that. Nice R’YBS insight on mesechet Avot not requiring “solutions”.
R’Belsky and Schachter on a lot of Pesach topics. No need to be OCD! Halachic history of selling chametz gamur and whiskey in particular. R’Belsky seems to suggest individuals not to use it if you can avoid it (it has become 3rd leg of biur!). R’Belsky seems to suggest only buying after Pesach (for quite some time) from Jewish stores who sold chametz since how stores may have bought from Jewish distributors. Wine and matzah types and preferences discussed.
Seder focus on centrality of our total reliance on HKB”H.
Avraham/Sarah – Constructive conflict. Yitzchak/Rivkah – he’s philosopher/thinker, she’s grounded. Rachel/Yaakov – power of romantic love. Each relationship works on its own terms (as each must).
Last in the series. Discussion of the interplay of prophecy and halacha. Rambam – separate, R’Yehuda Halevi – more in the “divine assistance camp”. Implications for issue of Baal Tosif [me – the issue of “Ruach Hakodesh” and “Hashraat Shechina” and its relation to a posek’s lev shel torah (gut feel?)]
Is it a gzeirah (not technically so since no formal gzeirot after time of gaonim – although term was used) or concern for kitniyot flour actually getting mixed in? Implications!
Discussion of kitniyot oil, popcorn (should be allowed?!) and quiona (he disagrees with R’Moshe on no “new” additions to kitniyot list).
Money quote: “Everything is more mehudar today except the people”
Biography of the Tzitz Eliezer. Positive approach to the State of Israel – wrote a book hilchot medinah on the topic. Discussion of tax apportionment based on Talmudic sources, strikes and mourning for presumed dead.
Torah goes from universal (Adam) to particular (Avraham) and recognizes revelation (torah) and reason (chohmah). We seem to have lost, to a great extent, our ability to identify with the outside world of chochma. (me – and imho, we’ve lost a lot of insight into Torah because of this condition)
Wearing tfillin at night? Yom tov? Chol hamoed? Is it a function of whether mlacha is prohibited or perhaps the Zohar? Detailed discussion of opinions!
Pshat review of the mitzvah of sippur yetziat mitzrayim and how seder accomplishes it (gratitude and/or recognition of destiny).
Good review of basic sources on definition of death (cardiac arrest, brain death, cessation of breathing…)
Message of Karbanot – Submission/subordination to HKB”H. Interesting take on HKB”H putting stray thoughts into Kohain’s mind if the bringer of the Karban doesn’t understand the proper lesson. Secondary lesson – feel subordinate to others and learn from them.
History (actual and halachic) of debate concerning bringing of Karbanot after the destruction of the Temple up through our times. Techeilet thrown in for good measure! R’Tzvi Hirsh Kalisher in the spotlight.
Detailed discussion of practices concerning nichum aveilim including numerous alternative practices and explanations. [me – why is it the difference between the first three days and last four has been lost? Why isn’t saying hamakom when the aveilim enter by Lcha Dodi not nichum and why say well after Shkia? What do people say “in the chapel” to the onen that isn’t nichum? I thought the better practice was to sit where the niftar died, not where he lived]
Best advice – know when to leave!
Discussion of sources (and reasons) of Yom Tov Sheni and some implications. Interplay of individual and community practices, not differing from the community and practical applications.
Not available on-line, I’m not going to summarize the latest batch. I always find them entertaining and interesting but am also left with a feeling that we exist in parallel universes.
Talk to H.S. students. Importance of a lifetime commitment to learning, being a Jewish leader and make a difference in somebody’s life. Nice story of Steven Carter (influenced by an act of chesed by a religious Jew – made a difference in his life).
Analysis of scheduling surgeries before Shabbat, doctor making arrangements for Shabbat coverage by non-religious Jew or non-Jew. Taking payment for Shabbat services. It seems to me like there’s a lot of self paskining that goes on in the medical community as to these issues.
Lots of detail on Kiddush and havdalah including whether the listeners have to drink from the Kiddush cup (no), bmakom seudah issues, grape juice (oh if people only knew history – they wouldn’t be quite so self-righteous!) and chamar medinah.
Money quote on why electricity must be forbidden on Shabbat
