Perhaps the major social issue facing the Orthodox community today is defining the proper role for women within the observant community. While the…
Pesachim 104: Who Said That?
The Talmud is the written record of the Oral Law. With the destruction of the Temple and subsequent exile of the Jewish people, it was no longer…
Pesachim 103: Five Jews, Nine Opinions
One of the basic ways we express gratitude is simply to say thank you. One way in which observant Jews do such is by reciting abracha before…
Pesachim 100: Table Manners
Considering the myriad of opinions on almost every aspect of Jewish law, it is not surprising that many pious Jews would try to act in a way that…
Pesachim 99: Drinks On Us
Jewish law is most strict when it comes to accepting charity. "Make your Shabbat like a weekday"--eating less quantitatively and…
Pesachim 91: Keeping Our Children Honest
One of the unusual laws regarding the korban pesach is that it can only be eaten leminuyav, by those who were specifically intended to…
Pesachim 88: Watch Those Dates
It is amazing how a slight change in perspective can make a huge difference. "R. Hiyya taught: What is meant by the verse, 'G-d understands…
Pesachim 87b: We Want Converts
We generally tend to view exile from the land of Israel as punishment for our sins, an apparent truism reinforced during the Yom Tov mussaf that…
Pesachim 68b: Fasting or Feasting
The Gemara (Pesachim 68b) records a debate as to the proper way to celebrate Yom Tov. Rabbi Eliezer says that one must make a choice; we must either…
Pesachim 68: Timing Is Everything
The korban pesach entailed many steps, both before and after its slaughter; and the Mishnah lists those activities that may, or may not, be carried…
Pesachim 66: People Power
One of the underlying pillars of democratic thought is confidence in the people to make the right choices, and in leaders to respect those choices.…
Pesachim 66a: A Humble Lesson for Hillel
While Korbanot tzibbur, public offerings, were sacrificed on Shabbat and Yom Tov--and serve as the basis for our davening mussaf on…
Pesachim 64b: You're Out of Here!
Akavya ben Mehalelel is best known for the teaching, “Focus on three things, and you will not come to the hands of sin: know from where you…
Pesachim 62: To Teach or Not to Teach
"Rav Simlai came in front of Rav Yochanan and asked him to teach him Sefer Yuchsin, the Book of Lineage. He [Rav Yochanan] asked him where he…
Pesachim 60: The Forest and the Tree
Some of the most fundamental mitzvoth of the Torah are stated in the vaguest of terms, with few clear guidelines as to how they are to be fulfilled.…
Pesachim 56: Medical School
The greatest blessing one can have is that of good health. And aside from the three cardinal sins of adultery, idolatry, and murder, no law is as…
Pesachim 54: The Heart of Darkness
Man, unique amongst all creations, was blessed by G-d with a soul. We are not just physical creations, doomed to death in due course, but spiritual…
Pesachim 50b: The Wrong Reason
Our tradition has long taught that it is a great mitzvah to do the right thing, even if for the wrong reason. “A person should, leolam, always…