There is a well-known Yiddish expression that provides a fairly accurate assessment: “S’felt nisht meshuga’im in de velt – There are no lack of crazies in the world.” Thus we find, for example, that there exists in the secular world a relatively popular movement featuring individuals who have foresworn childbearing. They may in fact have an inherent longing to bear children, but they also have concerns about the [...]
The Chafetz Chayim extracted an essential lesson from a certain historic event that took place at the time of World War I. Disbanding an Army Before the outbreak of the war, the city of Memel was subject to a somewhat precarious circumstance. Technically, it was a German city – that is, its inhabitants were German, its language was German, and its culture was German. But it was [...]
One of the devices employed to make halachic determinations is the notion of “rov (majority),” whereby a matter of doubt can be resolved by considering and drawing from the majority of relevant cases. This idea can be illustrated by the classic Talmudic discussion (Chullin 11a), which seeks the source for this rule. It finds it from none other than the section of the parah adumah (red cow), featured in the beginning of this [...]
How long does an argument “last”? This matter is addressed by Chazal in a familiar teaching that compares and contrasts the disputes of some very different figures. A Tale of Two Disputes The Mishnah states (Avos 5:17): כָּל מַחֲלוֹקֶת שֶׁהִיא לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם סוֹפָהּ לְהִתְקַיֵּם, וְשֶׁאֵינָהּ לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם אֵין סוֹפָהּ לְהִתְקַיֵּם. אֵיזוֹ הִיא מַחֲלוֹקֶת שֶׁהִיא לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם, זוֹ מַחֲלוֹקֶת הִלֵּל וְשַׁמַּאי. וְשֶׁאֵינָהּ לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם, זוֹ מַחֲלוֹקֶת קֹרַח וְכָל [...]
In a landmark dissertation that opens the sefer Kovetz Ma’amarim, R’ Elchonon Wasserman expounds on some fundamental aspects of emunah (faith). Believing – with the Heart He begins with Chazal’s exposition on a passuk from the end of this week’s parshah, which states: “V’lo sasuru acharei levavchem – Do not go astray after your heart” (Bamidbar 15:39). The Gemara interprets this as an injunction against harboring heretical beliefs (Berachos 12b). At first glance, it seems [...]
Something changed at Har Sinai. Now, that is an understatement, of course. A lot of things changed at Har Sinai, most notably the fact that Klal Yisrael now received and became obligated in fulfilling the Torah. But Chazal tell us that there were a number of additional sweeping changes that came about in connection with the grand event of the Revelation at Sinai. Forfeiting the Gift Among [...]
VISIT BETTER THAN A SEGULAH
A division of Chevrah Lomdei Mishnah
All contributions are tax deductible.
Chevrah Lomdei Mishnah / The Society for Mishnah Study is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
We are members of The Donors Fund and Achisomoch.
Your tax-deductible donation will enable our
network of Torah scholars to continue their
fundamental mission of providing eternal merit for
the Jewish nation.
Become a partner in the vital work of Chevrah Lomdei Mishnah and earn the invaluable merit of Torah study
for yourself as well.
