8 Lessons
Temporary Townsmen and Walled-City Dwellers on Purim
The sages instituted a number of days for the reading of the Scroll of Ester. The Mishnah introduces the novel concept that there are situations in which a walled-city dweller reads on the fourteenth and a townsman reads on the fifteenth.
Rabbi Chaim Katz | Adar 2 5768
When Faced with Inevitable Transgression
It is possible to liken a situation wherein life endangerment overrides the Sabbath to one in which a positive commandment overrides a negative one. Nothing prohibits one from entering a situation where a positive commandment overrides a negative one.
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed | 5766
Stipulations Upon the Words of Torah
According to the laws of inheritance, when a person expires, his children inherit his assets, and the firstborn receives a double portion. But what if the heir proclaims, "My firstborn shall not receive double," or, "My son shall not inherit me"?
Rabbi Zalman Nehemiah Goldberg | 5764
"Motzie Shem Rah" - A Dissertation on Slander
The opening Mishna of tractate Sanhedrin states: A slanderer [is judged] by three - these are the words of R. Meir; the Sages say, a slanderer [is judged] by twenty-three, because such [an offense] involves capital punishment.
Rabbi Chaim Katz | 5763
"Genevat Da'at" - Deception"
One must be on guard against the prohibition of "gnevat da'at," or deception. For example, it is forbidden to use an expression like, "I am opening this bottle of wine in your honor," when, in truth, you had at any rate intended to open the bottle.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5764
The Mitzvah of Mezuzah for Renters
Two Views, Avnei Nezer's Proof, How a Renter Today is an "Owner”, Another Angle, The Ohr Samayach-Shach "Right of Usage”, A House with No Door, Summary
Rabbi Hershel Schachter | כ' טבת תשס"א
Principles in Learning Gemmarah
Learning Methods and Basic Teaching Techniques; Preparation for the Lesson; Anything Added Only Detracts; Self Learning and Actively Involving the Students;
Rabbi David Samson | 5754