Introduction The mishnah in Pirkei Avot 5:20 differentiates between an argument for the sake of heaven (לשם שמים), seek the truth and not for this sake (i.e. ulterior motives). Numerous commentators have discussed factors for determining the validity of an argument. This article will focus on the following factors: Torah sources Character of disputants Intrinsic …
Rabbinic Decrees – Wine Introduction The rabbis of the Mishna and earlier times instituted a number of decrees concerning the food of non-Jews (e.g. wine, bread, milk, and cooked items) to protect against: Idolatry. Intermarriage with non-Jews. Kashrut violations. This article focuses on the decree of wine. Only the first two of the above …
Introduction Shavuot is unique among the three pilgrim festivals as described in the following table and explained in the following partgraphs. Factor Passover Shavuot Succoth Length (days) 7 1 7 (8) Date 15 Nissan No date 15 Tishrei Reason (in Torah) Exodus Not specified Miracles in desert Observance Seder, Matzo Not specified Sukkah, Four species …
Introduction Leviticus 22:32 briefly mentions the mitzvah to sanctify the name of Hashem. It is interesting to note that the Torah does not explicitly describe the details of this mitzvah, perhaps to prevent individuals from making critical life decisions without consulting with a competent rabbinical authority. The Talmud Sanhedrin 74a and b discusses and specifies …
Four Sons Introduction The haggadah mentions four sons, sourced from the Jerusalem Talmud Pesachim 10:4 and Mechilta on Exodus 13:14, which in turn are derived from the following verses: Son Verses Wise חכם Deut. 6:20-24 Wicked רשע Exodus 12:26-27 Simple תם Exodus 13:14-15 Does not know what to ask Exodus 13:8 …
Introduction Numbers 6:24-26 contains the blessing said by the Kohanim (priests) in the temple and now in our synagogues. In Israel most Kohanim recite the blessing daily, while outside of Israel Ashkenazim only on holidays and Sephardim daily. The reason for these customs will be explained in the Halacha section at the end of this …
Introduction After Moshe saw that Hashem was prepared to forgive the Israelites for the son of the golden calf (Rashi on Exodus 33:18), he reasoned that it was a propitious time to inquire about the glory of Hashem (ibid.). The Talmud Berachot 7a understands this inquiry as the time old question, “Why do the righteous …
Introduction The midrash (Shemot Rabbah 38:2) identifies the following expressions for atonement of the sin of the golden calf. Each term represents a different aspect of the sin and a corresponding atonement. Term Translation Verse Function פר Bull Exodus 29:1, Leviticus 4:3 Sin offering פרה Cow Numbers 19:2 Purification עגל Calf Leviticus 9:2-3 Sin offering …
Introduction The Talmud records a dispute between Rabbi Yishmael who permits emancipating a Canaanite slave and Rabbi Akiva who forbids emancipation, unless involving a mitzvah. The dispute revolves around the interpretation of the phrase in Leviticus 25:46 תעבדו בהם לעלם, you shall work them (the Canaanite slave) forever. The Talmud invokes a number of verses …
Sotah Procedure Before a woman becomes a sotah (wife suspected of adultery) and liable to drink the bitter waters, her husband must warn her not to seclude with a specific man (קינוי). In addition there must be testimony stating that she secluded with this man (סתירה). The rabbis disagree about the number of witnesses to …
