A Parasha & Halacha Shiur by Rav Mordechai Lebhar One of the most famous disagreements in Halacha is that of Rashi and Rabbenu Tam about the order of the Parashiyot in the Tefillin. This is already an older disagreement, cited in the Rambam’s Teshuvot (there are lengthy discussions as to what the other Rishonim hold). According to Rashi they are placed in the order in … [Read more...]
What’s Yours is Mine
Rooting out Middat Sedom A Shiur Halacha by Dayan Shlomo Cohen on Parashat VaYera In this week’s Parasha we read about the destruction of the people of Sedom, a town with evil and wayward ways. Hachamim relate many stories of the atrocities they committed. Hashem in all his mercy saw no alternative but to completely destroy Sedom despite Avraham Avinu’s pleas. What did … [Read more...]
Above & Beyond – Going Beyond the Letter of the Law
A Shiur Halacha by Dayan Shlomo Cohen on Parashat Lech Lecha Avraham excelled in the Middah of Hessed: lovingkindness. Yitzhak excelled in the Middah of Pahad: fear of G-d. It is interesting to note, that although Yitzhak grew up in the house of Avraham, he nevertheless excelled in his own Middah and didn’t just copy his father’s traits (similarly, Yaakov’s main trait is … [Read more...]
Bet HaVaad on the Parasha – Noah Be Fruitful and Multiply: Till When?
פרו ורבו ומלאו את הארץ וכבשוה Highlights of a Shiur by Rav Yosef Jacobowitz Be Fruitful and Multiply… (Bereshit 9:1) What is the minimum needed to fulfill one’s obligation? Or, more to the point: Can a person ever fulfill the obligation in its entirety? The Mishna in Yevamot cites a discussion between Bet Shammai and Bet Hillel whether one needs both a boy a girl to … [Read more...]
Bet HaVaad on the Parasha: Ha’azinu Birkot HaTorah: A Scriptural Benediction or Oral Tradition?
Highlights of a shiur by Dayan Yehoshua Grunwald כי שם ה' אקרא הבו גדל לאלקנו When I call the name of Hashem, ascribe greatness to our G-d. (Devarim 32:3) According to the Ramban, this Passuk is the source of the Mitzva of Birkat HaTorah, reciting a blessing before studying Torah. The Rambam, though, doesn't reckon Birkat HaTorah among the Taryag Mitzvot. Why not? One … [Read more...]