Keritut

Embark on a journey of Jewish learning and discovery, exploring the depth of our Keritut resources, where tagged items including audio, programs, and podcast episodes await your exploration.

Keritot 28: Please Go First

Rabbi Jay Kelman

“Rabbi Shimon says: Kevasim, lambs, precede se’irim, goats, in all places” (Keritot 28a). Rabbi Shimon notes that while lambs and goats are often mentioned together, the Torah (almost) always refers to lambs first.…
Article
Sep 26, 2019

Keritot 28: And All Its Pathways Are Peace

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Rav Chaim Soloveitchik, when asked to define the main role of a rabbi, responded that it is to help the poor, the widow and the orphan. This towering genius—who refined and systemized an analytical approach to Talmudic study that literally…
Article
Sep 22, 2019

Keritot 25: When in Doubt

Rabbi Jay Kelman

One brings a korban for one of two reasons: either because one wants to or because one has to. One may offer a korban as a way of saying thank you for the blessings of life. Instead of, or perhaps in addition to inviting some friends over…
Article
Sep 17, 2019

Keritot 13: Under the Influence

Rabbi Jay Kelman

In our last post, we discussed the serious prohibition of issuing halachic rulings after having had even minimal amounts of alcohol. Yet the practical impact of this prohibition is rather limited.  “Is it possible [the teaching of]…
Article
Sep 10, 2019

Keritot 13: Let's Not Drink to That

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Jewish tradition teaches that we are to celebrate joyous occasions—Shabbat and Yom Tov, brit milah, a wedding—by drinking wine. Used appropriately, “Wine gladdens the heart of man” (Tehillim 104:15); used…
Article
Sep 6, 2019

Keritot 8: The Rabbinic Market

Rabbi Jay Kelman

The most basic rule of economics is that of supply and demand. The interaction between these two forces is the key—often the only—factor in determining the price of an object or service. In order to maximize economic efficiency,…
Article
Sep 2, 2019

An Introduction to Masechet Keritot

Rabbi Jay Kelman

“One should be as careful with a light mitzvah as with heavy mitzvah” (Avot 2:1). Contrary to what is often taught, not all mitzvot are created equal. Some are more important, some less so. The mitzvah to accept upon oneself to…
Article
Aug 28, 2019