Horayot

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

Horayot 14: Seeking Kavod

Rabbi Jay Kelman

We have often commented on the fact that our tradition does not shy away from pointing out the weaknesses and failings of our great Sages. This idea is first found in the Torah itself, which does not hide or excuse the sins – minor as those…
Article
Apr 19, 2018

Horayot 14: Standing for Eliyahu

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Not every question has an answer and not every problem has a solution. This may be depressing for some, especially the young and idealistic (all too often, they tend to be one and the same), but this is something one realizes more and more as…
Article
Apr 16, 2018

Horayot 10: A Pure Sin

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Judaism has long rejected the notion that the ends justify the means. One of the most basic of Talmudic rules is that a mitzvah haba b’aveirah, a mitzvah enabled through the commission of sin, is rendered invalid. The third chapter of…
Article
Apr 15, 2018

Horayot 6: You Call This A Temple?

Rabbi Jay Kelman

In his best-selling book, Predictably Irrational, Dan Ariely notes how very rare it is for humans to make decisions in absolute terms. Rather, we weigh our options, compare one choice to another, and decide accordingly. It is the relative…
Article
Apr 10, 2018

Horayot 2: What Do You Think?

Rabbi Jay Kelman

In the days before instant replay took over much of sports officiating[1], the rule of thumb was that the ‘umpire is right even when he is wrong’. In the fast paced nature of sports it is inevitable that the umpire (or referee) will make…
Article
Apr 8, 2018

An Introduction to Masechet Horayot

Rabbi Jay Kelman

One of the most inspiring aspects of the Torah is its very real portrayal of its personalities. People—heroes and villains alike – are presented in all their complexity. The sins of our greats are not only not whitewashed, but are often…
Article
Apr 4, 2018