Daf Yomi
Who’s On First?
‘Who Is Considered A Firstborn?’
(Bava Basra 126b)
Special Place
Rabbi Dovid Orlofsky notes that in the post-Holocaust years there was an unverbalized message conveyed to every child that he/she was vital to the Jewish cause. As a nation we had lost so much and had endured such utter devastation and destruction that every individual was crucial for our efforts to rebuild.
Damaged Esrog
If the person decides not to buy the item, some consider him henceforth a shomer sachar, liable also for theft, like a borrower after the time, while others consider him a shomer chinam, liable only for negligence, since it turned out that he had no benefit (Sma 200:31).
Is It Proper To Attend A Non-Jewish university?
As with every question, the proper answer begins with "it depends."
Daf Yomi
Detached Or Unrelated
‘He Made an Asheirah Tree Into a Ladder…’
(Eruvin 78b)
Eruvei Techumin, Ships, Planes And Mashiach
“On Shabbat, every person must remain in his residence,” said Moshe to the people, forbidding them to walk more than a certain distance beyond their desert encampment. This distance, which measures two thousand amot – about two thirds of a mile – is known as techum Shabbat. It is the same distance that stretched from the perimeters of the Levite cities to their outlying suburbs.
Bumped!
Rabbi Feld headed out to the airport early in the morning. He was flying to the wedding of one of his congregants, Mr. Krauss, who had purchased him a complimentary ticket. Although the wedding was scheduled for late afternoon, they had booked an early flight to allow ample time.
Signed And Sealed
"What are you talking about?" asked Moshe. "I wasn't aware that the kesubah entailed payment of such sums."
Checking Clothes Before Shabbat
Question: The Talmud (Shabbat 12a) notes, “Rabbi Hanina said: One should examine one’s clothes on the eve of Shabbat before nightfall [to ensure that one is not carrying anything] for one may forget and go out [carrying]. Rav Yosef said this is an important law for Shabbat.”
Loving Details
When one is riding on cloud nine and feels that longing to be close with their prospective spouse he/she can spend hours working out minute details to enhance the experience even more.
The Mysterious Monotheism Of King Akhenaten
It seems that Rabbi Yitzchak may have approached the disagreement with Rabbi Abba as if it were an abstract halachic debate rather than a personal dispute.
Is It Proper To Give Children Expensive Presents For Chanukah?
The greatest gift we can give our children is remembering that however much we are watching them to see what they are doing with their lives, they are watching us to see what we are doing with ours.
Daf Yomi
Leprosy?
‘Any Kohen Who Is Not An Expert…’
(Shavuos 6a)
Lost Leining
It was summertime. Congregation Sha'ar Shamayim was relatively empty, as many of its members were away in camp or vacationing in bungalows.
Is it proper to disagree with one’s child’s Rebbe or Morah in front of...
In order to preserve the child’s respect for the institution and its instructors, the parent must exhibit that respect in the child’s presence.
We Have The Gear, But Do We Have The Skills?
.It is not enough to purchase the means to perform mitzvos on the highest level, we also need to have an appreciation of the meaning, essence, and laws regarding the mitzvah.
Recipe For Raising A Happy Well-Adjusted Child
Prepare based on temperament and personality. Add healthy dose of tefillah. Mix together all ingredients while continually adding tefillos. Allow to rise generously.
Is It Proper…? Should a Frum Jew Take Pride in the Achievement of Non-Frum...
Should a frum Jew take special pride in famous people who were Jewish but not frum and whose achievements have no evident connection to Judaism (e.g., Walter Rathenau, Richard Feynman, Danny Kaye, Bobby Fischer, Milton Friedman, Jascha Heifetz…)?
Total Loss!
Yehuda hit the brakes – but they didn't respond. He veered into the shoulder and crashed into the barrier.
Daf Yomi
Both Rise To The Occasion
‘What if his son is his teacher?’
(Kiddushin 33b)
What Time Should Rosh Hashanah Services Conclude?
The Vilna Gaon felt that the proscription against fasting until chatzot on Yom Tov also applies on Rosh Hashanah.
Daf Yomi
The Recanted Testimony
‘A Solitary Witness Said To Him’
(Kiddushin 65b)
How To Be A G-d-Fearing Investigative Journalist
In the case of a non-serious violation of procedures, it is better to address the violation in private.
For One Or All?
Yaakov looked at the will again. "Why do you say that?" he asked. "The will does not say to give $10,000 to each grandchild. It says that $10,000 is granted to the grandchildren as a group. Divide the sum among you!"
Collateral
"There is a diamond necklace that I wear on special occasions," Mrs. Miller told her husband. "It was recently appraised at $6,000. If need be, we can give that as collateral."
Daf Yomi
Hung Out To Dry
‘A Roof With A Parapet 10 Tefachim High Is Not Included’
(Bava Basra 63b-64a)
Daf Yomi
A Glorious Return
‘Tam V’nishlam’
(Niddah 73a)
The Great Escape
In June 1967, even skeptics and agnostics admitted that the people of Israel, who only days before were digging their own graves, were saved by nothing short of a miracle. Over the years, however, however, the miracle, so obvious when it occurred, became camouflaged in a shroud of strategic, military terms.
‘Shmurah Matzah’: For the Seder or All of Pesach?
The Shulchan Aruch does not even mention the opinion of the Rif and Rambam and states explicitly that the requirement of guarding applies only to the matzah used for the Seder.
Chametz Credit Card
If the chametz has already been legally nullified and physically burned, so that it is neither owned nor possessed by a Jew, why is it necessary to sell it to a non‑Jew?