Nedarim

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

Nedarim 40: Time for a Visit

Rabbi Jay Kelman

At first glance one would not expect a Talmudic discussion on the mitzva of bikkur cholim in the midst of a discussion of vows. However upon reflection of the nature of the human psyche such becomes readily understandable. "One who…
Article
Jul 22, 2015

Nedarim 38: Moshe's Torah

Rabbi Jay Kelman

  In our last post we discussed the renewed interest today in the study of Tanach. Concurrent with that, for the first time in Jewish history the study of Talmud has become mainstream, studied by the masses. Up until World War II…
Article
Jul 20, 2015

Nedarim 37: Benefiting From Torah

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Over the past generation - primarily in Israel but also to a lesser extent in the Diaspora - there has been a renewed focus on the study of Tanach. Such is a much needed antidote to the almost complete neglect of Tanach study in traditional yeshivot…
Article
Jul 19, 2015

Nedarim 28: The Murderer and the Tax Collector

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Dina demalchuta Dina, the law of the land is the law, is one of the most famous teachings of Jewish jurisprudence. While ostensibly a law relating to the paying of taxes, it reflects the deep loyalty Jews are to have to their countries of residence…
Article
Jun 30, 2015

Nedarim 31: Look Who Loves Shabbat

Rabbi Jay Kelman

  The Mishna Berura - the most widely used halachic code of the 20th century - in his introduction to the laws of Shabbat explains the crucial importance of learning the laws of Shabbat. With all its myriad details it is, he writes, virtually…
Article
Jun 29, 2015

Nedarim 22: A Much Smaller Book

Rabbi Jay Kelman

  Imagine if instead of twenty-four books the Tanach consisted of only six. Strange as it sounds that was the original plan. "Rav Adda the son of Rav Hanina said: Had Israel not sinned, only the five books of the Torah and the Book of…
Article
Jun 29, 2015

Nedarim 21: It's Just Talk

Rabbi Jay Kelman

The 1960's sitcom Get Smart[1] had as one of its heroes Hymie the robot. Lacking full human intelligence, he understood language only literally, something that made communication with him most difficult (and comic). A command to answer…
Article
Jun 23, 2015

Nedarim 20: Shame on Me

Rabbi Jay Kelman

In the siddurim commonly in use today, on the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh, we pray that we should be blessed to have "chaim she'ein bahem busha uchlima, a life that has no shame or disgrace". Being shamed is a most awful…
Article
Jun 17, 2015

Nedarim 8: Let's Learn

Rabbi Jay Kelman

The mitzvah of Talmud Torah has a dual objective. First and foremost, one learns so one will know how to act: "an ignoramus cannot be a righteous person" (Avot 2:5). However, learning is so much more than a utilitarian function…
Article
Jun 15, 2015

Nedarim 7: Time to Say Hello

Rabbi Jay Kelman

In our second to last post of Masechet Ketubot we discussed the decision of Rabbi Yehudah Hanassi to put  the Oral Law into writing. Having had the Oral Law in writing for the past 1,800 years, it is difficult for us to conceive how…
Article
Jun 9, 2015