An Outline of a Parasha & Halacha Shiur by Rav Yosef Greenwald · The Minhag is to light Hanukkah candles in shul with a Beracha. The problem: · The Gemara states (Shabbat 21b) that the obligation is “Ner Ish U’Veto” (one candle for each household). How is the shul considered one’s house? · How can we recite a Beracha on a Minhag, to which … [Read more...]
Just Cause: How Significant Is Gerama?
A Parasha & Halacha Shiur by Rav Yosef Greenwald וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵהֶם רְאוּבֵן אַל תִּשְׁפְּכוּ דָם הַשְׁלִיכוּ אֹתוֹ אֶל הַבּוֹר הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר בַּמִּדְבָּר וְיָד אַל תִּשְׁלְחוּ בוֹ לְמַעַן הַצִּיל אֹתוֹ מִיָּדָם לַהֲשִׁיבוֹ אֶל אָבִיו. And Reuven said to them, “Do not spill blood. Cast him into this pit, which is in the desert, but do not lay a hand on him,” in order to … [Read more...]
Labor Law: Who Should Desecrate Shabbat at a Birth?
Highlights of a Parasha & Halacha Shiur by Rav Yehoshua Grunwald וַתֵּלֶד רָחֵל וַתְּקַשׁ בְּלִדְתָּהּ. And Rachel gave birth, and she had difficulty in her delivery. (Bereshit 35:16) If there is a need on Shabbat for lifesaving medical care that entails Hillul Shabbat, should one seek a non-Jew or a minor to perform the Melacha? The Shulhan Aruch (O.H. 328:12) … [Read more...]
Tefillat Arvit: Laws & Concepts
A Parasha & Halacha Shiur for Parashat VaYetze by Rabbi Moshe Medresh “And [Yaakov] reached the place, and slept there, as the sun set…” The Gemara in Berachot brings a debate whether the Tefillot were instituted by the Avot or correspond the Korbanot. This verse, according to the Gemara, implies that Yaakov instituted Tefilla. The Gemara discusses the time of Arvit … [Read more...]
TRADING IN FUTURES
A Parasha and Halacha Audio Shiur on Parashat Toledot by Dayan Shlomo Cohen In this week’s Parasha we read about the selling of the firstborn rights by Esav to Yaakov. Our Sages debate whether one can sell something that doesn’t exist, and will only come to existence in the future (Davar SheLo Ba La’Olam). According to Ribbi Akiva this is possible, whereas according to … [Read more...]