“Rabbi Elai said: A person is recognized through three ways: b’koso, b’kiso, u’b’kaaso” (Eiruvin 65b).…
Eiruvin 65: Davening Less, Learning More
Two of the most fundamental mitzvot are those of prayer and Talmud Torah. Observant Jews pray three times a day, and for those who daven with a…
Eiruvin 53: Curriculum Planning
“One cannot compare one who learns the chapter 100 times to one who learns it 101 times” (Chagiga 9b). The mitzvah of Talmud Torah…
Eiruvin 30: Eating Together
One of the hardest hit industries of the pandemic has been the restaurant industry. Many restaurants have permanently closed; surely, many more will…
Eiruvin 2: A Holy Home
The focus of masechet Shabbat is the definition of the parameters of the 39 prohibited melachot, creative activities prohibited on Shabbat. Of the 39…
Shabbat 151: Nothing New in Messianic Times
“For there will never cease to be needy within the land. Therefore, I command you, saying, you shall surely open your hand to your brother, to…
Shabbat 151: I Want a Reward
“Mitzvot were given only to purify people” (Breisheet Rabba 44). By refraining from gossip, not bearing a grudge, not giving…
Marriage over Mourning
A Jewish wedding consists of two distinct parts: eirusin and nisuin. In eirusin (also known as kiddushin), the …
Shabbat 139: It's Good to Forget
“Rav Yehuda said in the name of Shmuel: Three thousand halachot were forgotten during the days of mourning for Moshe…
Shabbat 87: If G-d Agrees
One of the distinguishing marks of many successful companies is the encouragement they give to employees to experiment, encouraging innovation and…
Shabbat 69: What Time is It?
That we are living in unprecedented times hardly needs to be stated. It is hard to believe that less than three months ago we in the west were living…
Shabbat 63: I Did Not Know
One of the changes accompanying the creation of the State of Israel is the flourishing of the study of Tanach. Returning to our ancient homeland, and…
Shabbat 33: Silence is Golden
When our Sages entered the vineyard in Yavne, Rabbi Yehuda, and Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Yossi, and Rabbi Shimon were there, and a question was…
Shabbat 32: The Uneducated Jew
“Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel says: The laws of hekdesh, consecrated items; terumot; and ma’asarot, tithes, are the…
Shabbat 31: Farming and Faith
The Torah is full of mitzvot relating to farmers. Whether one is plowing, planting, or harvesting, the Torah has clear guidelines to direct…
Shabbat 31: Awe and Fear
“And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your G-d demand of you but l’yirah, to revere the Lord your G-d, to walk only in His paths,…
Shabbat 25: Who is Wealthy
“Who is wealthy? One who is happy with his lot!” (Avot 4:1). This teaching of Ben Zoma is undoubtedly one of the best known, most…
Shabbat 17: Murder in the Beit Midrash
The Talmud quotes some 316 debates between Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai. “Since both these and those are the words of the living God”,…