Moed Katan

Halacha reflects not only legal truths, but moral, psychological, and philosophical (and other) truths, as well. The wide observance of the laws of mourning--one of the major themes of Masechet Moed Katan--is likely due more to the…

For better or worse most people pay little attention to the proof texts brought to support various Talmudic views and positions, focusing on the teaching itself and little else. Often in order to properly follow how the proof text is used one needs…

One of the fascinating features of the Talmud is how it seamlessly moves from topic to topic. The opening Mishnah of Moed Katan teaches that amongst the permitted activities on Chol Hamoed is to “mark the graves”, thus helping people to…

Moed Katan has as its focus two contradictory themes: the laws of Chol Hamoed and of aveilut, mourning. Chol Hamoed is a time when we are obligated in the mitzvah of simcha, joy, whereas mourning is the time when we are obligated to be sad. The…