Spare The Rod, Spoil The Mitzvah? The Talmud’s Take On Tough Love
There are instances in the Gemara where, though corporal punishment is accepted as a practice, there is a disapproving response when it is done unfairly or excessively...
Daf Yomi
Entitlements
‘Not Returned To His Former Prominence’
(Makkos 12a)
A Thing
I don’t remember when that way of talk began, but I’m pretty sure it was only in the twenty-first century. In our culture, being a thing has become the basic unit of cultural ontology.
Forgotten Whiskey
When a person forgot to sell his chametz and does not want to destroy it, the poskim write that he should grant it as a gift to a gentile, because this is a gift for the purpose of a mitzvah – to avoid the prohibition of possessing chametz on Pesach.
Daf Yomi
The Red Sea’s Argument
‘Elai And Toviah: Relatives Of A Guarantor’
(Makkos 7a)
Court Recognizes Importance Of Baal Koreh In Landmark Tax Exemption Decision
The trial court denied the shul’s application for a tax exemption, concluding, among other things, that the property was not intimately related to the [petitioner’s] religious objectives.
Does G-d Refuse Repair Attempts?
We see, then, that not all sacrifices are rejected, nor are they rejected from all people.
The Seder’s Message To Us
Notice that we do not speak in the past tense. Omdim alainu – they stand against us attempting to wipe us off the face of this earth. As we sit down to our seder, we discover the eternal secret of the Jew.
Is It Proper To Incorporate Current Events Into The Pesach Seder? If So, In...
In short, not only is it proper to incorporate current events into the Seder, but it is likely a fulfillment or at the very least an enhancement of the mitzvah to recount the Exodus from Egypt. However, this is true only if we subsume those current events into the broader retelling and view them as part of an ongoing fulfillment of Hashem's redemption.
Good To The Last Drop
In 2011 the Maxwell House Haggadah translation underwent its first significant update since its original publishing. “Art, thou, and hast” were replaced with more conversant contemporary English.
Should You Sell Your Chametz?
We should also recognize that mechirat chametz as it is performed today was originally intended for sh’at hadchak – it was an emergency measure necessitated by Jews owning large quantities of chametz, which was a particular problem once Jews had entered the liquor business.
Vacuum Cleaner
While Dani was washing the floor mats, a branch fell from a tree and hit the vacuum cleaner, cracking it!
Daf Yomi
Without Warning
‘… But You Were With Us…’
(Makkos 2a)
The Ultimate Compliment For The Ultimate Baal Teshuva
Originally, Menashe behaved so badly that he seemed to have forfeited his place in the World to Come. But then he did such teshuva that not only did he earn a place in the World to Come, but G-d himself interfered with the nature He had created and made a special opening or tunnel through which Menashe could come into the World to Come.
Stirring Up A Hornet’s Nest
A person should never bring himself to undergo a test of faith, as David, king of Israel, brought himself to undergo a test of faith and failed.
38 Again
It was well known that Jack Benny celebrated his thirty-ninth birthday every year. When Benny died in 1974, he had turned thirty-nine a total of forty-one times.
A Personal Reflection On Pesach And Faith
As we sit at our seders this year, we are not only reliving the past; we are living in the present. We are living through a time when the Jewish people are once again fighting for freedom.
Whose Ball?
Even if it was my idea, if Reuven’s ball broke the window, he’s liable – not me! Shimon argued. Who’s to say that I have to pay?
Daf Yomi
Silence Golden?
‘Iyov, Who Was Silent…’
(Sanhedrin 106a)
The Power Of Perspective: Broad Vs. Narrow Thinking
If one believes in a Divine plan and the natural ups and downs of life, they will feel less anxious and hypersensitive.
Blinded By Love
Shlomo HaMelech is teaching that chinuch is not just about compliance, but more about instilling values into our children’s souls, so that it becomes part of them for life.
Between Purim And Pesach
Hashem will show me the way, though I don't know how it will happen. But I know in my heart, that I am meant to return.
The ‘Fair Market Value’ Of The Parah Adumah
Rare items, such as a Parah Adumah, do not have a definable ‘fair market value,’ replied Rabbi Dayan. Therefore, according to many authorities, there is no ona’ah (unfair pricing) claim (Hilchos Mishpat 227:29[28]).
Daf Yomi
As We Come Closer And Closer
‘… Like The Face Of A Dog’
(Sanhedrin 97a)
The Best and Worst Treated Hostages in World History
One of the Ten Commandments outlaws kidnapping, though, unfortunately, the death penalty imposed by the Bible did not and is not likely to deter the forces of Hamas – even though they are subject to the Noahide laws which include setting up court systems which should theoretically mete out justice...
Marshmallows, Money, And Mazal: When Patience Pays – And When It Doesn’t
One major criticism of the Stanford Marshmallow Experiment is that it presupposes that the child trusts the adult conducting the experiment to actually deliver the promised reward.
Different Worlds
Throughout sefer Mishlei, Shlomo HaMelech contrasts the fool with the wise man. According to the wisest of men, the fool doesn’t refer to one with limited intellectual capacities, but rather one who doesn’t think through the consequences of his actions.
Is Nepotism Proper?
One of the key concepts in Judaism is the idea of impartiality in judgment. In the context of leadership, the Torah calls for the appointment of leaders who are wise, understanding, and respected, without reference to familial ties.
From Redemption To Redemption
We shift from costumes and joy to cleaning and preparing. But if we only focus on scrubbing floors and kashering kitchens, we’re missing the bigger picture.
Credit Card Fee
If I donate an average of $1,000 a month by credit card, that’s $12,000 a year; a 2% fee comes to $240, explained Mr. Freilich. Is this included in my maaser kesafim, or do I need to deduct this amount from my calculation?”
Headlines
Latest News Stories
Recommended Today
Sponsored Posts
