9:28 AM
Gil Student
by Joel RichHa-Rav Nissim added that he spoke with an American fundraiser for Israeli causes and told him that all of the Jews of America need to make aliyah. The fundraiser responded: If everyone makes aliyah, who will donate the money to the support the State of Israel? Ha-Rav Nissim answered: "It is written that Eretz Yisrael is the "Land flowing with milk and honey" and she is similar to a nursing mother: just as she produces milk when her children nurse from her, so too is Eretz Yisrael flowing with milk and honey when all of her children return to her – "And we can send it to America!" (From Rabbi Aviner)
“Danger Will Robinson” (was “a generation lost in space” referring to: a) the moon landing; b) Major Tom; c) the T V show; d) better living through chemistry?). If you have a historical view of the halachic process do not read the summary of this shiur (unless you think Galbraith was wrong – “Faced with the choice between changing one’s mind proving there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof” [ok – it is a bit judgmental]) but once Adam bit into that apple, there was no going back. Unfortunately, the recording of the third and last of the Café Khochma series is not available on the net, but I wanted to share my notes.
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“Danger Will Robinson” (was “a generation lost in space” referring to: a) the moon landing; b) Major Tom; c) the T V show; d) better living through chemistry?). If you have a historical view of the halachic process do not read the summary of this shiur (unless you think Galbraith was wrong – “Faced with the choice between changing one’s mind proving there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof” [ok – it is a bit judgmental]) but once Adam bit into that apple, there was no going back. Unfortunately, the recording of the third and last of the Café Khochma series is not available on the net, but I wanted to share my notes.
Sources of the two theories – (1) everything given at Sinai, any errors are in transmission (the ahistorical “traditional” school) and (2) less given at Sinai, Chazal given process to make halacha. [At Shalosh Seudot last week a ben Yeshiva assured me that Moshe got the whole written torah at Sinai including the story of Bnot Tzlofchad]. Why was “traditional” popular? Perhaps polemical response (e.g. to Karaites). [me-OK, did the Rambam (historical) or R’Shrira (ahistorical) have a mesorah or did they just pick one approach? And why? If polemical, was it conscious or subconscious].
Ahistorical would be a very static approach to halacha, historical more creative.
Dor Revi (calling David Glasner) felt oral law was more flexible – affected by history? Divine guidance?
Perhaps in the old days change was organic (without historical awareness) but now many are self aware (but the apple was tasty!).
Is it a coincidence that in sfard they sat on the floor to daven and in ashkenaz on chairs (or maybe we weren’t paralleling non Jews but climate?). There are challenges in both approaches.
Imho it will be hard to maintain ahistorical approaches in a historical society (it can be hard to bifurcate your brain).
Fascinating philosophical dive into the nature of psak/horaah. Is there a (Torah) requirement to give psak? Is it modeled after Sanhedrin? What is the nature of “psak”? – is it binding? Does it shift responsibility for error to the posek? In all cases? Does it attach to a person? Objects? Is it to identify legitimate options? To delegitimate options? To identify best option? [me – can you outsource your existential self?]
A detailed discussion of Birchat Hamazon from one who though I “only saw him from behind” left an indelible impression (where to start? his complete involvement in learning? His gentle sense of humor? His yashrut – that a yid must shake at the cash register the same way he shakes on Yom Kippur? I could go on but it’s too painful).
Why does birchat hamazon expand focus past food? Halachic and Hashkafic implications.
Nice to hear that even the gedolim look and don’t always find consistency in the data and underlying functions.
Medrash Eicha – After second churban when there was no longer any prophecy, Chazal “speak” through medrash Eicha which often turns the plain meaning of the text on its head (to turn it into a consolation). HKB”H becomes a lonely victim with us, we all look forward to redemption together with him.
Rabbi Shopping? Analysis of major source on asking 2 Rabbis same question – Is it only prohibited if 1st forbids or also if he permits? Is the underlying theory the honor of the first Rabbi or that his pronouncement sets the reality? The “Chacham sheassar” is not brought down by Rambam of S”A but by Rama. Why?
BTW not covered is asking different Rabbis different questions (do you know a source that prohibits?).
Kabbalat Shabbat flows from Kavod Shabbat, not tosefet Shabbat (me – in many shuls IIUC Kabbalat Shabbat happens after shkia – so why do aveilim wait till after Leha Dodi to come in?).
Lcha Dodi is 300-400 years old. R’Schach was against new kinot and differentiated from Lcha Dodi being added since Lcha Dodi was started in one shul and then spread (implications for WTG?).
Facing west vs. facing door question discussed – do you have to be matir neder to change?
In Israel the practice is not to make early Shabbat and a ben torah shouldn’t go to someone’s house who does!
Vayichulu – focus on being a partner in creation (good time to ask your partner for things?).
Saying “Mein Sheva” is only in set minyan with a sefer torah (some allow if no Torah but sfarim). Don’t do it in Jerusalem.
Chapter 40 of Yirmiyahu is a nechama (consolation) to those who returned to Jerusalem. Some theological rejoinders to Babalonian beliefs and focus on our recognition of HKB”H as destroyer and rebuilder of Jerusalem.
Sources on sinning to avoid a greater sin or accomplish greater mitzvah. Some commentaries simply take the Talmudic sources and minimize the actual sin implied, others don’t!
Decline started from time of Shimon Hatzadik and the fight over succession of Kohain Gadol (never happened before?) and Antignos Ish Socho (bad students).
Septuagint, one translated, reduced differences between Bnai brit and non – a bad thing (hmmm), then onto history (from Josephus – as R’Ralbag said since Talmud tells us only what we really need to know??). We were forced to teach them Torah but oral law really separates us.
An interesting “frum” view of history.
Technical analysis of when actual building can take place (night?)
Defining bishul – not so simple! Interesting insight on when koach hasevara (logic) has force of Torah and when Rabbinic.
Wide ranging discussion concerning the permissibility of using someone else’s resources (e.g. stealing) to save one’s own life. What about to save many lives? What if it costs society a lot of resources? What if it is an indirect cost?
Not forgetting any of the Torah that we learn! A good segulah is to love and enjoy learning.
First in a series on prayer. Rambam/Ramban on the nature (Torah or Rabbinic) of the command to pray. R’YBS on the difference being how one looks at regular prayer as being in a time of need! (Rambam wants us to aspire to realizing we are always in crisis = totally dependent on HKB”H).
General discussion of philosophic and practical issues regarding the coming of Moshiach and some implications. Specifics include can he come from the meitim? (hmmm – who could he mean?) How can Sanhedrin declare a prophet? Rebuilding of Beit Hamikdash.
Mussar on Hakarat Hatov (appreciating what others do for you).
Lectures by Rabbi Natan Slifkin in Kew Gardens Hills
button in the top right corner of Hirhurim. See 
