Daf In-Sight: Recent Episodes
Rabbi Effie Kleinberg
Is a lender allowed to sell a security in order to get back his loan money when the borrower fails to pay back on time?
Is the mitzvah to pay workers on time applicable to trade workers such as tailors or mechanics?
How bad is it to withhold employee wages? Can a can driver be paid early for his service and still fulfill the mitzvah?
Introduction to the prohibition to withhold payment from workers and the positive mitzvah to pay workers on time
The law of the adjacent property/field/apartment owner and when he has the right to acquire the property- "dina d'bar metzra"
The concept of a regional disaster such as grasshopper plague or a wind blast and how this is applied during a time of war/rocket attack
When I borrow an item from someone and ask them to "please do me this kind favor" how does that change the nature of the agreement?
The prohibition to cut down fruit-bearing trees, and the scenarios in which it is permitted
Paying for someone else's bus fare using a bus pass- do you pay back full bus fare or the discounted price?
Situations when we don't let a person who denies a monetary claim to swear to that effect to stop him from lying
The deep and spiritual idea behind why hiring the owner with the borrowed item creates an exemption of liability
Is a husband considered "baalav imo" in his marriage to his wife- if his wife breaks something in the house is that her responsibility to pay for it?
How Yaakov Avinu taught us the standard for how carefully one should guard someone else's items
When we say a person is exempt by dinei adam/earthly court but accountable by dinei shayamim/Hashem’s "court"- How do we view the monetary compensation?
Does the prohibition of asking a gentile to perform a otherwise prohibited activity for a Jew apply outside of the laws of Shabbat?
Does the plate of food (the food itself) you are served when you are a guest belong to you? Can you betroth a woman with it?
The righteous tzadikkim say little and do a lot and the wicked make big promises and do nothing!
The responsibility of a renter or mechanic to also guard over the item they are renting/fixing
Employment challenges in a time of war- e.g. agricultural workers being prevented from getting to fields because it is a closed military zone
Is an employer allowed to change the terms of a contract mid-job with salary increase? What are the employees rights to compensation for a worsening of terms?
Is a drafted IDF soldier allowed to volunteer for longer service? Is an exempt individual allowed to volunteer for army service?
Is it called "damage" when you prevent someone else from making a profit? What level of accountability would there be?
Is it permissible to charge interest to gentiles? What about in Israel where most of the population is Jewish?
Can a lender eat from the produce of a mortgaged field if he deducts from the loan amount? What if he is a Torah scholar? Can a Torah Scholar not hold of himself as such?
When verbal conditions of a sale (the house comes with the cabinets) are not included in the written contract are they binding?
Can a loan society charge a commission fee to a borrower to offset their rent or electricity costs?
Charging interest on credit and paying installments- giving discounts for paying upfront
Rabbi Akiva's approach to the waterbottle ethical dilemma- how does it apply to the laws of war? are there exceptions?
How much time does one who was overcharged for a purchase have to claim a bad sale and get his money back?
When parents promise their kids an "afikoman present" on Pesach, do they have to keep their promise?
When a buyer claims that his purchase was unfair as actual price of the item was inflated or false
How a ring can be effective for kiddushin when we learn that money cannot be used for a chalifin transaction
Can you pour red wine into white wine on Shabbat? What about the use of toilet bowl disinfectant that colors the water with each flush?
Using DNA, government documents, obituaries to identify relationships for inheritance purposes
When damage could result because of negligence but ends happening because of natural/accidental circumstances
Forgetfulness in halacha: while guarding an item, Missed the time to daven mincha, forgot to sell chametz before Pesach
When 2 partners guard an item and it gets stolen what is their level of responsibility?
Hashavat Aveida includes also rescuing people's property from being damaged and is one of the sources of inspiring Jews to come closer to Hashem
Where should one publish a lost item: newspaper? shul? social media? what if it's found in a taxi or bus?
When a person takes an item that they found in order give it back- does he have to return. it
What constitutes actually giving up hope that a person will never recover their lost item
How to tell who the true signed name on a document is when there is more than one person with the same name in that town
How was Yaakov allowed to purchase the Birthright from Eisav if it was a "davar shelo bah l'olam"?
If someone gives someone a ride to their destination and at the end says pay me for the gas, are they required to pay given that the person was going anyway?
If someone finds a signed cheque on the ground, do they have to return it to the owner or the person it is written out to?
When a child is given a toy as a gift does it belong to them or their parent? What about a monetary gift?
Why the courtyard of a woman can receive on her behalf but the law is different for a man?
The rights of a worker to quit and the rights of an employee to fire his workers- we are servants only of Hashem
How to decide between 2 business partners - one who wants to sell the whole business and the other who wants to split the business and keep one half for himself?
If a person is unsure of the number day of Sefirat Haomer, can they count for two days and say, "Today is either the 19th or 20th day of the Omer?" How precise does counting have to be? The answer on today's daf!
Is it a violation of lifnei iver/don't put a stumbling block before the blind to gift a new pot/pan made by a gentile to a newly married couple who won't end up toveling/dunking the pot/pan in a mikva?
Why a person who admits to owing some money isn't believed on his word when he could have easily lied instead?
The corrupted motivating factors that lead people to steal and the 3 takeaways from the Masechet
What do the Rabbis mean when they say that in the heavenly court a person is accountable for their actions?
Does the mitzvah of honoring ones parents continue after death? What if honoring them also causes people to speak badly about them?
Repeating the same error over and over, how does the penalty payment work and how does teshuva work?
The underlying message of why someone who only admits to repaying part of a loan (modeh b'miktzat) is required to swear to this effect.
The chiddush of Rav that after swearing falsely that one has paid back a loan they are then exempt from ever paying back
Returning loans or borrowed items to the wife of a lender in the time of the tumud vs in modern times
If a house is sold and the buyer is listed as a 3rd party purchaser, can the 3rd party claim that it's actually his house now?
When a garment is given to a producer who ruins the materials by adding the wrong dye to them
The Torah says to pay one's workers on time- how do we explain that our reward for performing mitzvot only is received in the world to come?
When someone steals matzoh or an etrog before the respective holiday of Pesach/Sukkot and returns the matzoh/etrog in perfect condition after the holiday, does he have to pay the original owner for what he stole?
When a change is made to an object that is stolen, does the thief become the owner? What about a change to a borrowed item?
The special way if praying where a person prays for someone else instead of onself- what is the impact of that?
If you have an item that you cannot sell , because no one would buy it due to its personal attachment to the owner
When the child gets locked in the bathroom at an AirBnB and the door has to be breached- who pays for the repair?
If someone embarrasses a person who is naked is this considered a form of damage known as boshet/humiliation?
The permission the Torah gives to a doctor to treat patients- why isn't on the patient to seek medical attention?
How the Torah laws tell us about Hashem's true intention and values even when they don't play out practically
If the Torah meant that monetary compensation is the punishment for damage why did it use the words, "an eye for an eye"?
Yehoshua's enactment that a dead corpse be buried on the spot it is found- how would this play out in a battlefield?
What is the difference between the way the Torah speaks of the punishment of the thief vs. that of the robber?
If someone steals a beautiful (hiddur) etrog, can they just pay back a basic kosher one?
Why the Torah says we believe a 2nd set of witnesses on the same crime over the first set?
Did the work being done on Shabbat on the train/light rail Israel create halachic problems with using it?
When do we have an obligation to set up a warning/prevention system for potential sinners?
Does the despair of an owner of a stolen item cause him to lose ownership over that item?
Does the prohibition of stealing extend to stealing one's mind- tricking someone into believing something is real/true when it's not?
What happens when someone damages someone else's property but doesn't realize what or how much value they have damaged?
If I have to spend money to save someone's life or possessions, do they have to pay me back?
Can you send non-food items as mishloach another? what if it is spending money for food?
What happens when judges make a mistake in a court case? And we penalize the judges who has to pay for that penalty?
Who has to pay: one guy overloads the elevator and slightly damages it. 2 days later, another guy comes along and also overloads the elevator and completely breaks it. Who pays for the damage?
What is the law when someone kicks a rock out of the way but then someone trips over it in that new spot?
Roof tiles that get damaged while a worker fixes the water boiler, who pays for the damages?
The shopper who left the fridge open and the food spoiled- does he have to pay compensation to the store owner?
What did Rabbi Akiva discover hidden in the words "et Hashem elokecha tira" that his own Rebbe couldn't figure out?
Are children under bar mitzvah required to do teshuva for sins they commit before bar/bar mitzvah? Do they recite hagomel?
Wreckless driving and fender benders - is this like a horse rider or a person sprinting in a crowded area?
When someone is holding something in their hand that causes damage, is that considered an extension of one's body?
Pouring dirty water into the public street that causes people to slip- who's liable for the damage?
Is a disruptive person allowed to banned from a private/public minyan? What if the owner of the minyan has a personal grudge against this guy?
How much effort does a person have to exert to prevent damage that was inevitably going to take place because of someone else's negligence?
Adam Muad LOlam- Man is always responsible for his actions - the case of the soldier who's gun misfired while on break from the army
Provoking an animal that ends damaging someone else or the person who provoked - what is the responsibility of the animals owner?
Occupying someone's empty house that has a bomb shelter when one's own house does not at a time of war- does the occupant have to pay rent? utilities?
Am I responsible for damage caused by my under bar/bat mitzvah children? What if they cause the damage with my items?
Is a dog owner required to pick up his dog's excrement on the sidewalk or in someone's private hard?
When an apartment is bought based on a false appraisal, is the sale void? What if the seller can't undo the sale? What is the appraiser's role?
When a snake catcher is called to catch a dangerous snake at someone's house but the negotiation over the price breaks down!
If someone crashes their car into another vehicle, how is the damage assessed and evaluated? What's included/excluded?
Can one leave out the owner of an insurance policy and deal directly with their company in the event of an accident?
Can someone who causes a car accident pay for the damage in movable products instead of cash?
When a driver splashes water in people waiting at a busstop, does he have to pay for their dry cleaning?
What is the law of someone who has a contagious virus and causes others to get sick from food he contaminates as the damage is not evident?
How far does halacha go with laying responsibility on a person even for unintentional damage
The source for the obligation to pay damages caused to another person or their belongings as well as premeditated damages
What is the meaning that Avraham kept the entire Torah before it was given & 3 takeaways from the Masechet
When a person finds out about a death in the family after a period of time, do they still sit shiva?
Can a woman be believed to give testimony in certain areas of halacha? Yichus? Kashrut?
The difference between the slaughtered bird and the bird that is set free in the metzora bird-offering
When we allow a low-level prohibition to be performed to avoid someone else violating a serious prohibition
When a man betroths a woman on condition that he is a tzaddik while at that moment he is a rasha!
At what point in a workers day does the obligation kick in to pay them? Is there a deeper layer to this law?
Can a betrothal done with a loan be effective? What is the law of delivering an NFT as a form of mishloach manot on Purim?
What did R' Yochanan mean when he said, "there is a table, a piece of meat, and a knife, but nothing to eat!"?
Would it be disrespectful/prohibited to appoint one's father to be an agent/shaliach even for a mitzvah purpose?
If you have access to private information that is about you that somebody else wrote and it is negative information, are you allowed to open it and get access to it?
The limits of shlichut- You can't have someone perform a mitzvah of the "body" (tefillin, tzitzit, sukkah) on your behalf- how shofar is an exception to this rule
Why it is better to perform a mitzvah on one's own than have a shaliach/messenger do it on one's behalf.
How to understand the concept of half-liable/half-meritorious where one good or bad deed will tip the scale. What were the Rabbis trying to teach us here and how does this impact the days of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur?
The criticism of the Jewish people's low motivation to bring the Pesach sacrifice during the desert travels
The parameters of women who volunteer to perform time-bound mitzvot. With a blessing? What about the mitzvah of hearing the shofar?
When a father is unable or refuses to perform a brit Milah on his son, who does the mitzvah "belong to"? Can it be "given" to someone specific?
The commitment to give a donation to the Beit Hamikdash/Charity- how binding is it? Verbal? Written?
Is there a mitzvah to give testimony? Does it have to be oral testimony or can it be written?
When a servant comes into possession of something, does he ever become the owner of it? Who does the land of Israel belong to?
Do workers get paid for sick days? What about the ethics of a work-strike directed to improve salary?
Is chalitza a required mitzvah or just a matir/way to enable the woman to get married again? How much effort must be expended to perform this mitzvah?
Why Rav gave lashes to those who betrothed/performed kiddushin through intimate relations
Rabbi Yehuda Ben Beteira and the Rabbis who wanted to leave Eretz Yisrael to learn Torah with him
Does a civil marriage require a get in order for the woman to get married under a chuppah?
The custom to create Kiddushin with money and specifically a ring that must be owned by the chatan
The deeper connection between burial and marriage in the opening Gemara and why the Rabbis utilized a gzeira shava to teach this concept
The meaning of the closing lines of the Masechet about the mizbeach crying tears over the divorce of a husband and wife and 3 takeaways from the Masechet
Who were the Neki'ei Ha'daat of Yerushalayim and were there practices meant to be stringency or law?
What is the status of a get written in the handwriting of the husband without witnesses?
Are later generations of Rabbis allowed to disagree with the halachic opinions of earlier generations?
Is a woman considered divorced if the husband can pull the get away from her while it in her hands?
When a person stipulates a divorce with a humiliating condition, what are the parameters of this?
When one party in a transaction refuses to accept a payment or gift that is to due to them
When an unavoidable circumstance gets in the way of a business transaction or a disruption of wedding plans
The power and independence of a shaliach to carry out his senders instructions even when the sender is not fully functioning healthwise
Rabbinic medical recipes and segulot- what is their applicability in contemporary context?
Why Rav Sheshet wouldn't eat in the house of the Exilarch and the connection to Yosef's criticisms of his brothers
Writing and delivering a get based on voice instructions alone without seeing the husband- what if they are delivered over the phone?
The laws of the Jewish slave/eved ivri only apply when we are counting the yovel- why make such a fuss about this mitzvah as the opener to Parshat Mishpatim?
What does the Talmud mean by using the word 'get' without explaining what kind of document it's referencing?
The principle and application of when we say witnesses have completed their mission regarding writing, signing, and delivering documents
Giving words of support/encouragement to Jewish/gentile farmers working their land during the shemitta year
Was the Torah recorded along the way as the events and commandments were being given or was it all recorded at the end of the 40 year sojourn in the desert?
The requirement to honor a kohen with the first aliya - Can a kohen forgo this honor due to him?
The story and lesson of the capture of the son and daughter of Rabbi Yishmael Kohen Gadol
Analysis of the story of the death by suicide of the 400 boys and girls during the Roman persecution
The fundamental problem at the core of what led to the destruction of the Temples and Jerusalem
What happens when a person intentionally damages someone but the damage is not visible?
The oath that is required for a person who partially admitted to a claim that he owes money
How far do we go to rescue and redeem rebellious Jews who have sold themselves to gentiles or have converted to another religion?
The halachot of Torah books written by gentiles or heretics and those that are printed by a machine
A person cannot achieve full understanding/clarity of Torah ideas without having stumbled over them
The mitzvah of shevet vs. peru urevu and can a woman be pressured to get married for this mitzvah?
analyzing the principle of fulfilling the dying wishes of a parent before they pass away
When Purim falls on a Friday, is a non-Jerusalemite allowed to join the Purim Seudah which takes place on Erev Shabbat?
The law of loan cancellation in shemitta when a borrower insists on paying back their loan
The principle and mechanism of shemittat kesafim and how it is still possible with a prozbol document to fulfill this mitzvah
The principle and history of the enactments of Rabbeinu Gershom regarding marriage & divorce
Can I appoint an agent to make my property or chametz ownerless if all they are doing is speaking?
The discussion of why the Jewish people did not circumcise while they travelled in the desert
What happens when a husband conditions a get on whether or not he can fix the marriage but the wife is not appeased?
How the poskim used the concepts of the daf to apply leniency after the Holocaust to release women from their marriages where the whereabouts of the husbands were unknown
The decree of the Rabbis to cause delays in the process of writing and delivering a get
Can a Get be retroactively assigned to whom it was meant to be given when both wives have the same name?
What happens with a Get that has a name of one person where there are other people in his town with the same name?
When you need to light a fire to save someone's life, do you need to measure out the oil for the fire?
Are you allowed to save a seat on the bus for someone else who will get on in a few stops?
Does the passing of the ketuba from the chattan to the kallah at a chuppah require appointed witnesses?
Why does the Mishna begin with a decree about delivering the divorce document as opposed to the context of when a divorce must take place?
The signs we will see in the days leading up to Mashiach and 3 takeaways from the Masechet
Why the kohanim had to ask for atonement on a sin that nobody in the city had committed
The reason why the elders of the courts need to say they were not guilty when a dead body is found on the outskirts of their city
The 3 statements shared with Jewish soldiers before a battle- who says them and why not use the same person for all 3?
The humility of realizing what the true purpose of machloket and spreading Torah is all about
What was the real message of the image of Yaakov appearing to Yosef in Mitzrayim during a moment of temptation?
The two Jews in history who were called fearing of God: Avraham and Iyov. What was unique about this fear of God?
How was the Song of the Sea composed? What do these different approaches teach us about leadership?
The blessing of fertility for a innocent woman and comparison to the Jewish people during sefirat haomer
If a husband is unable to issue the seclusion warning, is a court allowed to do so on his behalf?
The reward we receive for going the extra mile- what about two shuls in one's neighborhood- is there a need to go to the further shul?
Discussion and analysis of the kohen directly assisting the Sotah with the waving offering and how this is applied to questions of contact between genders
Who is greater: the perfect tzaddik or the ba'al teshuva? Yosef or Yehuda? Who became the line of the Jewish kings?
Are the laws of Sotah a unique area of halachot governing relationships or are they part of the laws of general adulterous relationships?
Background to the Masechet; Why are marriage-matches compared to the splitting of the sea, and what role does prayer have in finding one's marriage partner?
Can a person say one kaddish that will be dedicated to a mother and father that passed away close in time?
The Nazir that became a metzora- why he is able to shave and not truly violate his requirement to grow his hair
The principle that a sword that comes into contact with a corpse takes on the same impurity
A Kohen gadol and Nazir arrive at a "met mitzvah" together. Which one becomes impure to do the burial?
Cases where a kohen may become impure to exhume and move a body to a new grave and when this can be done in general
The law of kohanim in contemporary times when they have become impure to a corpse and have no way to become pure again
Hair removal using a chemical solution- is there a Torah violation of removing the 'corners of one's head'?
The laws of alcohol for kohanim peforming the avodah and poskim deciding on halachic matters
The rationale behind the timing of parents introducing different mitzvot to their children
Is bringing suffering to cause a result of being more healthy a good idea from a Torah perspective?
Does a nazir who stands in a cemetery and violates his restrictions receive punishment for doing so?
Does the principle of shomea k'oneh work with becoming a Nazir by hearing somebody else's Nazir acceptance?
The debate between Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel over becoming a Nazir on something that isn't a wine product
The halachic ethics of limited resources between cities and countries applied to the vaccination campaign during the Covid-19 pandemic
The special laws related to mikva and purity laws before, during, after going into the mikva
The deeper understanding of why a woman's vows are shared with her husband to allow him to undo them
The deeper layer of understanding the custom of Torah scholars to nullify the vows of their daughters before they leave the home to get married
Can a vow be nullified and ratified at the same time? What about eating one matzah and fulfilling both matzah and motzi in the same bite?
Which Adar does a vow or yartzheit or Bat Mitzvah fall when "Adar" is mentioned without specifying the 1st or 2nd on a leap year
Is a Torah scholar allowed to pretend to be an idolater in order to avoid paying taxes?
The requirement to get rid of/destroy shemitta produce that is no longer growing in the field
Rava's novel explanation of the verse on the journeys of the Jewish people in the desert
Is fish categorized under meat? May women going to the mikvah have a meal of fish on that same evening?
Is it better to use an Etrog from shmitta sanctity or not in the Sukkot following a shmitta year?
How many times is considered "too many" for making a vow to prohibit others from benefiting?
The difference between different types of gifts that one plans to get back in return with application to sale of chametz on Pesach and fields in Israel during Shemitta
Does Shemitta produce and the land become automatically owner less or only through a verbal declaration?
What did the Rabbis mean that to receive prophecy a person must be a gibor and and an ashir? was this literal? metaphorical?
The requirement of parents to give their children Torah education and to even pay for it
What areas of Torah may be taught to a person who is the subject of a vow against them?
The halacha of a person paying back a debt to someone who prohibited upon himself benefit through a vow
Who is included in "the offspring of Avraham "? Who had greater merit in akeidat Yitzchak?
The source and halachic parameters of kol nidrei and hatarat nedarim of Erev Rosh Hashana
What the Rabbis meant when they said without the cheyt haegel we only would have been given the 5 books of the Torah and Yehoshua
The importance of parents being in a strong relationship before they bring children into the world
Can an oath be made on a Rabbinic Mitzvah? i.e a person says they won't light Shabbat candles
Does a neder mean that the goods of this world are bad or is there another way to look at it?
Can one associate a neder with a firstborn animal? How do Shabbat and Yom Tov receive their sanctity?
Can one send a shaliach to dissolve a vow on their behalf? Does this work for hatarat nedarim?
The Torah prohibition to delay keeping one's vows and application to tzedaka and starting Shabbat meals on time
Two sides to the mitzvah of the vow- positive commandment of keeping one's word and also negative commandment of not transgressing one's word
3 opening ideas: Why Nedarim is in Seder Nashim; the severity of making vows; how many types of nedarim are there?
Explanation of the teaching one who lives outside of Eretz Yisrael is as one who has no God
The death of Rebbe Yehuda Hanasi and when he came back to make kiddush on Friday night for his family
The halacha of custody in situations of divorce- up to age 6 and after, son vs. daughter
Is a commitment to support someone else financially binding even when the cost goes up significantly?
When an agent attempts to benefit his employer, does this action get undone automatically?
When a messenger receives a gift/profit after purchasing on behalf of a sender, who is entitled to the benefit?
The principle and philosophy of acting "beyond the letter of the law" (lifnim meshurat hadin)
Torah scholars may not prevent their students from learning from their ways and actions
The argument of a wife that she only agreed to a sale because she didn't want to get in a fight- what weight does this statement have?
When 2 documents are produced for one piece of property, how is the true owner revealed?
Is a child required to pay off the debts of their parent from their land and movable possessions?
The halachot relevant to a person who converts to Judaism together with his gentile wife- is a new ketubah required? chuppah? Sheva brachot?
What happens after the shemitta year has passed and a lender tries to collect his loan without producing a prozbol document?
The law, background, and spiritual idea behind protecting the institution of lending and borrowing
Can we trust a store owner to require someone to pay merely based on the credit statements in his store notebook?
When one person benefits in a completely legal way that ends up causing a loss, is that problematic?
Who to give tzedakah to first: A "neighbor" or a relative? A local charity or one you are passionate about in another city?
Tofes Lbaal Chov Bmakom Shachav LAcherim, Lo Kanah: Can I save a seat on the public bus for my friend?
The principle of "siluk" when a husband relinquishes his rights to futures in his wife's property
A document that is used to collect on a loan in the future: is it considered to be "already collected" or not?
The different types of properties a wife brings into the marriage and the husband's access and rights vis-a-vis those properties
Was there a rainbow in the days of Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Levi? What does the rainbow symbolize?
The halachot of using an item that has a defect even after discovering the defect - can it still be returned at that point?
What does it mean to be "born" in Yerushalayim? What does it mean to be "metzapeh" for the city?
The halachot of revealing history and information about a potential match for dating/shidduchim
The law of stipulation before a marriage that is breached or broken after the marriage takes place
The laws of dat yehudit and dat moshe and what happens when these are not followed in a marriage
The story of Mar Ukva's charity practices and the laws of how much tzedaka one should/may give
The story of Choma and Rava and halachot of professionals interacting with opposite gender
The halacha of a spouse who refuses to be intimate out of spite or to cause emotional pain to their spouse
The first part of the story of Rabbi Akiva's marriage and what drew and attracted his wife to want to marry him
Can one rely on a miracle to save someone else's life? Put themselves in danger or at risk to save someone?
The source and application for the 24 month period of nursing before a woman may get remarried
The halacha that a wife can demand a ketuba if her husband doesn't allow her to work- the evils of wasting time
The halacha of a wife who wants to keep her earnings and waive her right to her husband's payments
What happens when a ketuba is lost or destroyed? Does it need to be replaced right away?
The ketuba enactment that requires the possessions to be given only to the wife's sons and whether she can be mochel/forgo this right
The great mitzvah of redeeming captives and its limitations- application to freeing captured Israeli soldiers
The principle of "kol haomed ligzoz kgazuz dami" applied to the case of an etrog without its pitam
The requirement and obligation of a father to support his children and whether the courts may force this upon the father
Using someone else's money or mitzvah items (tefillin, tallit) to perform a mitzvah/tzedakah
The halacha of a chattan and kallah (bride/groom) refraining from going to work during the week of 7 berachot
The case of a seducer/rapist who denies and then admits guilt and application to contemporary societal view
The penalty cannot be passed from one generation to the next- the deeper idea behind this halacha
In the principle of עשה דוחה לא תעשה , does a positive mitzvah of one person push away negative mitzvah of another person?
The principle of קים ליה בדרבה מיניה in modern times when lashes are not administered - does the monetary payment kick in?
The permitted case of a captive woman marrying a Kohen and the spiritual idea behind this halacha
The principle of קים ליה בדרבה מיניה when the sin leading to execution was done unintentionally
Analysis of law קים ליה בדרבה מיניה- When one has a monetary and lashes obligation simultaneously
Were the 4 types of execution replaced when there was no longer a Sanhedrin to carry out the punishments?
The prohibition to teach Torah to one's slave and how this was allowed with Eliezer the servant of Avraham
The priestly blessing being said by those who are not kohanim- application to parent blessing of children on Shabbat
analysis of the principle and mechanics of hapeh she'asar and application to story of Avraham/Sarah and Avimelech
The principle of bari vs. shema/certain vs. uncertain claims in cases of believability in a dispute
The role of the ketuba in establishing the marriage and its spiritual influence on the home
The relevance and deeper meaning behind the 7 blessings under the chuppah and their connection to the marriage
Analysis and beautiful depth behind the bracha of eirusin/betrothal- "asher asar lanu et haarusot..."
The origin and idea behind the celebration of the seven festive days following the wedding
What happens when a parent dies right before the wedding is meant to begin? Do we push off the wedding?
The leniency arguments for resolving aguna cases in situations of "waters that have no end"
The law of the "meguyad" and testifying a fatal injury to allow a wife to get remarried
Analyzing The idea of a story that happened - maaseh shehaya that caused the Rabbis to make decrees
The halachic status of a deaf-mute from the times of the Mishna until the contemporary times
Discussions about kavana/intention during our prayers- Where to direct our eyes and heart
Which parts of the chalitza process are critical for the process to be complete and which are not critical?
Is/When is a Rav allowed to answer a question where there is a vested interest in the conclusion?
The difference between the framework of a Jewish marriage/kiddushin and gentile marriage
Different explanations of the teaching that a Torah Scholar's lips move in the grave when his Torah is being taught after his death
Would a single witness be believed to testify for a yevama that her yavam has died when the witness is interested himself in marrying this woman?
The debate about whether a person can acquire or impact an object or situation that will only happen in the future in the here and now
The requirement of a woman to check even after witnesses testify before getting remarried
The analysis of how the Rabbis permitted one witness when the Torah generally requires two witnesses
Analysis of the penalty that Ezra levied on the tribe of Levi when they refused to return to the Land of Israel
Analysis and lesson of the story of Rebbe trying to study Torah with R Elazar ben Shamua
Does the sanctity of the Land of Israel change throughout history? How does it impact the special mitzvot tied to the land itself?
Contemporary application of King David praying for Mefiboshet to survive when it could have meant someone else would take his place
Surrogacy motherhood: Determining who is the true mother of a fetus born after a conversion to Judaism?
What is the purification process for a kohen to be able to eat terumah after becoming impure?
Analyzing the two stages of the circumcision of milah and periya and the blessings we make at the brit milah
When a marriage happens does one spouse follow the customs of the other? What is the source of this idea?
The principle that we follow majority in cases of risk and danger and are not concerned about minority possibilities
The concept of property a wife brings into the marriage and the rules associated with it - shevach beit aviha
Are women obligated in the mitzvah of peru urevu? How is it different than the husband's obligation?
The story of Yitzchak and Rivka praying for a child and why Hashem answered specifically to the prayer of Yitzchak
Analysis of the tragic story of 24000 students of Rabbi Akiva dying during the period between Pesach and Shavuot
The law and analysis of whether a gentile corpse carries impurity for the law of the kohanim
The negative mitzvah not to bring an animal for a sacrifice in the Beit Hamikdash that was used to buy a dog
The halachic discussion around a couple living in their in laws home before/after marriage
The status of yibum betrothal (maamar) according to Beit Shammai and the application of their language to a fascinating question in the laws of berachot over miracles and Jewish graves
Does our lifespan have a fixed number of years or can it go above or below what was predetermined for us?
The question of a convert who was circumcised but did not yet go in the purifying waters of the mikvah when Shabbos came in- can he observe a full halachic Shabbos?
Analsysi of the case of the man from the intermarried couple trying to get married and the advice he was given
The analysis of why yibum may only be performed with one widow and not two widows, connection to the story of Yehuda and Tamar
Analysis of the 3 month waiting period before any yibum or re-marriage known as "havchana"
How the case of the yevama in doubt was applied to a halacha in two etrogim that got mixed up
The ability to eat matzah ashira/matzah mixed with fruit juce/boiled matzah on erev Pesach and for the mitzvah of Matzah on Seder night
The halacha that te yavam and yevama need to understand what they are saying and responding to during the chalitza ceremony
analysis of the halacha and story that Rav and Rav Nachman would get married for one day when they travelled to another city without their wife
The halacha of a nursing mother who becomes widowed and seeks to get remarried- how long must she wait? What if the baby does not nurse?
The contradiction between two mishnayot one utilizing the principle of rov/majority and the other the principle of eidim/witness testimony
The mitzvah of the kohanim to eat terumah- who is included in the mitzvah and what beracha is made?
The prohibites shabbat melacha of havara/kindling a fire- is its essence the creation of the flame or the consumption of the fire?
The halacha of not burying righteous people next to wicked people and the source for a separate Jewish cemetery
The law of whether testimony that is offered in writing as opposed to verbal is effective
The law that a husband may annul his wife's vows even when the vow was taken under duress
The law and concept of a person not being believed to incriminate himself and on which case this person would be believed
The requirement of a conversion to be with sincerity and desire and not for an ulterior motive
The halachic status child of an intermarriage vis-a-vis being Jewish and being a member of a tribe of the Jewish people
The principle and ramifications of the law of a convert having the status of a newborn person- the question of the Nazi who desired convert
The enactments of Shlomo Hamelech: eiruv, netilat yadayaim, shniyot/secondary forbidden relationships
Is chalitza a mitzvah from the Torah? How is it similar to divorce and do we make a bracha on its performance?
Why Rabbi Dosa gave a special blessing to Rabbi Akiva and not also to Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya and the connection to the Haggada of Pesach
Why Rabbi Yehoshua did not speak and share his opinion in the debate between Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel?
The different approaches of Beit Hillel and Shammai, their love and friendship, and why we follow Beit Hillel
The prohibition and definition of lo titgodedu applied to contemporary issues of different practices in communities
The halacha of forcing the brother to make a choice to do chalitza or yibum but not to leave the woman in a limbo state
The law of yibum as it applies to the sotah and contemporary application of the shiur kdei tumah for yichud and also at a wedding
The mitzvah prohibition of the man who performs chalitza to subsequently get married to that same woman
The words of insult and harshness that teachers once gave to their students and how that looks in contemporary Jewish education
What/Who do we fear: The Beit Hamikdash or Hashem who commanded us to build the Beit Hamikdash?
Background to the name of the Masechet, the concept of yibum, and why yevamot if the first Masechet of Seder Nashim
The beautiful comparison between the mizbeach/altar and one's table in the home. 3 takeaways from Masechet Chagiga and Seder Moed
Analysis of the incredible miracle of the lechem hapanim and how the kohanim were able to move the shulchan
The laws of vessels combining items contained inside of them applied to fridge/freezer in the laws of separating challah from two batches of dough
The practical and spiritual principle that a vessel combines the disparate items that are inside of it
The halachot of asking mechila at a gravesite when a person has insulted someone who is deceased
Halachic applications of the laws of chatitza: may one purify themselves in a mikva while wearing a bathing suit or loose fitting clothes?
Application of the laws of intention by tumah/tahara to the laws of shmura matzah on Pesach
Do we say Hamavdil bein Kodesh LKodesh or Bein Kodesh Lchol when transitioning from Yom Tov to Chol Hamoed?
Is the day following Shavuot one of great celebration or is there an issue with full-blown celebration on this day?
Analysis and explanation of why the Mishna warns against asking certain questions about the creation of the world
How Rabbi Meir permitted himself to continue studying Torah from Acher even when he had become a full heretic
When Hashem scolded the world to stop expanding and the comparison to Moshe stopping the donations to the building of the mishkan
The deep connection between Shabbat laws and the building of the Mishkan and the meaning behind the Mishna's statement "mountains hanging by a thread"
Why there is a difference between reviewing one's Torah learning 100 times versus 101 times
Analysis of The case of 5 korbanot chagiga being brought on the first day of Yomtov and the remaining 5 on the following day
The parameters of the mitzvah reiya and not to show up empty handed to the Beit Hamikdash without a sacrifice
What details did Hashem give to Moshe at Har Sinai? Was anything left out? When did the concept of 'Torah lo bashamayim hee' come into effect?
Analyzing the notion that Hashem removes righteous people before their assigned day of death to cause them to avoid sinning
Why Shmuel was concerned about being judged when his spirit was raised from the dead to give advice to Saul?
The teaching that the Jewish people are like converts to Judaism when they go up on aliya l'regel
The meaning of the two concepts of aliya lregel- to see and to be seen by Hashem- what does this mean?
The closing teaching that Tzaddikim do not have rest even when they are in olam haba. 3 takeaways from Masechet Moed Katan.
The 3 things in life that are not dependent on ones merits: lifespan, children, and parnassa
The important service and mitzvah of levaya of the dead body and how this mitzvah is applied in the contemporary setting
Tearing kriya over seeing Jerusalem and the Har Habyit without a Beit Hamikdash in contemporary times
The halacha that one should tear kriya if they are present when the soul leaves the body- this is compared to a Torah scroll that is burning which also requires tearing kriya
In what cases and circumstances may someone get married while they are in mourning of shiva or shloshim and afterward?
When does the mourning period begin? what if a family member will not be attending the burial?
The halachic principle of gadol habayis - when does shiva begin for the mourners when a body is flown overseas to be buried in Israel?
The importance of comforting mourners/nichum aveilim and whether we do so on Shabbat, Yom Tov and Chol Hamoed
The permission to get engaged on Chol Hamoed- different approaches to the concept of bashert and shidduchim
Should Torah be taught in a public setting or private setting? What about mitzvot in general?
The laws of mourning when it comes to the speech, greetings, and Torah study of a mourner in a house of mourning
The principle of giving work to a destitute employee on Chol Hamoed who has nothing eat
The principle of work permitted when it is tzorech moed. Does a salaried worker need to use their vacation days over Chol Hamoed?
Is Chol Hamoed ever called a Yom Tov? what's the same and what's different? What if a person davens a YomTov Shacharit on Chol Hamoed?
The rules of conducting business activity on Chol Hamoed and how to understand how many people keep their businesses open.
Why a Kohen is not allowed to examine a metzora on Chol Hamoed? Does the rule change in an unwalled city?
The permitted activities on Chol Hamoed to benefit the public- marking graves to prevent impurity
Is plowing permitted or prohibited during the Shemitta year? How can the plowing process teach us about spiritual and personal growth?
Opening introduction to the concept and special opportunity of chol hamoed in contrast to yomtov and the weekday, Rabbinic permission to engage in activities to avoid financial loss to encourage simchat yomtov.
The idea and message behind hagbah- lifting up the Torah for all to see. 3 takeaways from the Masechet.
The rule when reading the tochacha/curse sections of the Torah, that we may not stop in the middle or make a blessing over this section
The special maftir and haftara readings of Shekalim, Zachor, Parah and Hachodesh- what happens when there is a clash of two possible haftarot- Rosh Chodesh on Shabbat during the 7 weeks of comfort following 9 Av?
The Divine Presence exists in the shuls and batei medrash in the exiles of the Jewish people
The precious prayer said before going to sleep asking forgiveness and releasing any wrongdoings others did to a person throughout the day
May a Navi be stacked on a Chumash or vice-versa? What about a Navi and book of Ketuvim?
May an under-bar-mitzvah age child receive an aliyah? Does it matter which parsha or aliyah it would be for?
The special blessings of Rosh Chodesh in reward for the women's efforts in preventing the sin of the golden calf
Should a person who is making a blessing over the Torah read along with the Baal Koreh?
The value of mitzvah performance at the earliest possible time of day versus the value of kiddush Hashem in public and brov am hadrat melech
The episode of Yosef and Binyamin crying on each other shoulders when they reunited- what did this moment symbolize?
The most effective moment in Jewish history that brought the Jewish people to do teshuva
How to understand Yaakov telling Rachel that he could beat Lavan with his own deception- what did Yaakov mean by this?
Why the Jewish People were deserving a decree of annihilation at the time of the Purim story?
The opening speech of Rav Nachman Bar Yitzchak that the decree on the Jewish people in the Purim story was by a common person as opposed to a king
The difference between a person in quarantine with unconfirmed case of tzaraat and the confirmed metzora
The idea behind drinking wine on Purim and the specific requirement to achieve a loss of intellect through the drinking
The teaching that Torah is called a "metzia"/a finding- every person has their role and part of the Torah
The laws of fast days when their date falls on Shabbat- why was 10 Tevet different than the other fasts?
The cryptic interpretation of Yonatan Ben Uziel that served as the basis for Rav Kook's eulogy for Theodor Herzl
The meaning behind the principle and idea that a Jewish court may not uproot the decrees and rulings of earlier courts without specific criteria
The circle dance of tzadikkim that will take place at the end of days; 3 takeaways from the Masechet
The origins of the 9th of Av rooted in the sin of the spies and how it can be corrected
The requirement to say Hallel on certain days on the Jewish calendar and why we cannot say it every single day
Laws around whether kohanim with bandages or different blemishes may give their priestly blessing
The story of Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Eliezer praying for rain and why only Rabbi Akiva's prayer is answered
The practice of Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa's wife to heat the oven every week before Shabbat
The jailer and the jesters who were going to olam haba and what we can take from this story
The story of Rabbi Shimon and the ugly man he met on his journey and the incredible lessons from this story
The story and lessons of when Nakdimon ben Gurion helped the Jews celebrate their festival and his prayer for rain
The concept that kohanim should not drink wine even after the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash perhaps it will be rebuilt any moment
Analysis of Rab Adda teaching of a person feels bad about a sin he has done but still does not fully repent he is compared to one who has gone in a mikva but is still holding a dead sheretz
The rule prohibiting Rabbis from establishing the first fast day in a series of fasts on a Thursday
The inclusion of a shofar/trumpet in the prayers of fast days and why we do not have this practice in contemporary times
The ideal time to daven mincha on a fast day, discussion about the blessing of the kohanim at mincha on a fast day
The laws of calculating when the fast days end, when to daven mincha/maariv, and how to navigate with saying shema- what if one travels from America to Israel on a fast day?
The debate about how Judaism views those who deny themselves physical pleasures: the Nazir, and one accepts voluntary fasts upon oneself
Learning Torah while one is travelling/driving- what kind of Torah learning is permitted?
May one pray for an end to 2 crises at the same time? Is there a difference between an individual and the community? In Israel vs. outside of Israel?
Why the Torah is compared to water. How we are able to access the wisdom of Hashem in our world and the deeper meaning of the stories of Bereishit.
The blessing on rain after experiencing (seeing vs. hearing) a drought and the timing of the birkat hachama
Is a Torah teacher/scholar allowed to get angry? If yes, in what circumstances is this permitted?
The addition of Mashiv Haruach UMorid Hageshem to the bracha of Mechayeh Meitim, and the idea of tefilla as service of the heart
The evolution of having 3 sets of shofar blasts and the reasons for the mitzvah of blowing the shofar
The source for the sounds of the shofar and the 100 blasts of the shofar on Rosh Hashana
Is Rosh Hashana a happy or sad day? Should we rejoice or be serious? Is crying appropriate during the tefillot of Rosh Hashana?
The enactments of Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai to commemorate the Beit Hamikdash- analyzing the removal of the strip of crimson wool on Yom Kippur
The mixup of the shir shel yom/song of the day in the Beit Hamikdash and we do not recite it at mincha
The 3 categories of shofarot that may be used to fulfill the mitzvah of tekiat shofar- the speech of Rav Kook on Rosh Hashana 1934 warning of the darkening clouds over the heads of European Jewry
Blowing a shofar into a pit- application to reading the megilla, reciting havdala, listening to shofar using a microphone, telephone or video conference, and hearing aids
The principle of 'ein kateygor naaseh saneygor'- the prosecutor cannot become the accuser- application to a Kohen who kills someone while driving- may they still give the Kohen blessing?
The power of the court in establishing the new month- comparing leaders from different generations in Jewish history
How could the courts pressure the witnesses to lie about seeing the moon when there was actually no moon?
The 4 points of judgment during the year and why saying malchuyot helps us with our judgment on Rosh Hashana
The halachot of the etrog in a Shemitta year- application to which tefillot are not said because Tu Bishvat is a happy day
Rosh Hashana for the trees and what the rule is for an etrog since it stays on the tree for the entire winter
The Torah prohibition to enjoy from the new grain in the spring before the 16th of Nissan- what if the grain is grown by a gentile farmer?
The meaning of a vow that is made for the current year when there is only one day or less than 30 days in the month- application to the bracha of Barech Alenu
The exodus from Egypt took place in stages but the actual redemption was very quick, similarly the creation of the world happened in the blink of an eye
The historical events that took place on Rosh Hashana including Yosef being let out of prison and greeting Paroah
Analyzing the teaching of Rabbi Akiva that tosefet kedusha is learned from the shemitta year
The first of Tishrei is the day of judgment not only for the Jewish people but for all of humanity- explaining the idea of Hashem running the world balancing din and rachamim
Analysis of Nissan being the first month in the counting of the months and the idea behind Rosh Chodesh as the first mitzvah given to the Jewish people as a nation
The requirement of the courts to coerce people to fulfill their promises- why this coercion is considered to be a valid action by the one who did the action?
Was the requirement to stay over in Jerusalem for one night only or for all the days of the Chag?
The rule and concept behind the requirement to stay over in Jerusalem after bringing a korban
The different dates of Jewish and gentile Kings for documents- was Koresh a righteous gentile or Jewish?
Does a son of a king automatically become king after his father dies? Why does our Masechet not begin with the main topic of Rosh Hashana?
The halachot of feeding wild animals and pets on Shabbat and Yom Tov, 3 takeaways from the Masechet
When a melacha is performed in a way that is not the usual way but then that method becomes normalized, does it then become prohibited?
Halachot of getting engaged and married on Shabbat and Yom Tov and separating Challah on Shabbat/Yom Tov
The halacha of not carrying out judgment on Shabbat and Yom Tov and application to capturing criminals on Shabbat and Yom Tov
The requirement to tithe foods when Shabbat begins and application to stop eating and drinking when Shabbat begins before making kiddush
When a series of small actions leads to the performance of a melacha- application to cooking water
The halachic analysis and contemporary application of turning on electricity on Yom Tov
When an item can be used sometimes in a prohibited way and a permitted way, are we concerned one will make a mistake? example of electric wheelchair using without motor on Shabbat
The prohibited and permitted cases where clapping and dancing may or may not happen on Shabbat/Yom Tov
The debate about what kinds of food utensils and items may be fixed on Yom Tov and which may not be fixed on Yom Tov
The case of the challah that became tameh and difference between melacha on Shabbat vs. Yom Tov
The halacha of a posek determining the halachic status of an animal or a forbidden mixture on Yom Tov
The requirement for a room to be dark during intimacy and the source and idea behind this halacha
Why voluntary/vowed offerings may not be brought on YomTov in contrast to offerings that are 50% Jewish-owned- the concept of Hashem's table
The story of Hillel the Elder and the students of Beit Shammai on Yom Tov in the Beit Hamikdash
The Torah prohibition of bal te'acher to not delay in bringing a voluntary offering and its connection to shalosh regalim
Cooking/Baking in a pot on Yom Tov the full amount when one only needs a portion of the contents- application to carrying and smoking cigarettes on Yom Tov
The neshama yeteira/extra soul we are granted to have on Shabbat- the spiritual and physical sides of this soul
The rules of grinding spices and salt on Yom Tov and application to grinding potatoes and preparing charoset for Pesach
The principle of melechet machshevet on Shabbat and compared to other halachot - application to physical and spiritual mishkan
The principle of ochel nefesh and its extension to allow activities on Yom Tov that are non-food preparation oriented
The nature of the dove that it doesn't travel too far from its cote- idea from Ishbitzer Rebbe on an infant and his mother and Rav Kook's special message to a group of olim from Germany in the 1930's
The principle of 'breira' - retroactive designation and its application to Yom Tov, tumat ohel- application to kohanim entering me'arat hamachpela
The balance between marit ayin and Simchat Yomtov - applications to business meeting in non-kosher restaurant, using lights on a timer on Shabbat
The story of the faulty egg sale, application to other cases of erroneous sales and discussion of the deeper idea of why the story is part of the Gemara
Burying the dead on Yom Tov asking gentiles or the Jewish community- contemporary application of honoring the deceased
The difference between the 2 day holiday of Rosh Hashana vs Yom Tov in chutz Laaretz - the deeper idea of 'yoma arichta'
The principle of ein mevatlin issur lchatchila and its application by Chanuka and everyday life
The discussion of whether the egg is sold by weight or quantity of eggs- how this halacha impacts the principle of nullification/bittul in a pile
Rabba's principle of 'hachana' and its application to preparing for Shabbat during the week
Halachot of when to say kaddish for Kriyat hatorah on shabbat Rosh Chodesh, and chol hamoed
Why the joy and celebration of Simchat beit hashoeva was around the drawing of the water and not the pouring of the water?
The instruments played at the Simchat beit hashoeva and the question of listening to music in contemporary times after the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash
Do we make a new bracha for each day of sitting in the sukkah? what about each time the tefillin is taken off and put back on?
The minhag of the arava ceremony in the Beit Hamikdash and in contemporary times and whether we make a bracha on this minhag
Returning the lulav to a container of water after use on YomTov, Shabbat. and Chol hamoed
The source for holding the poles of the Sefer Torah while receiving an aliyah and the minhag to say yashar koach/hazak uvaruch
The bracha on the 4 minnim has to be said before performing the mitzvah of the 4 minnim
The numerous sources that highlight the value of saving life even when needing to violate the laws of Shabbat
Measurements for food and drink regarding breaking one's fast on Yom Kippur in case of need qms illness
The background to the halachic status of the prohibitions of anointing and washing on Yom Kippur
The concept that Jews of all generations have accepted the commitment to the Torah even not having been at Har Sinai
The mixing of the two bloods of the goat and bull and applying it on the mizbeach zahav
The tradition of the Kohen gadol to count the sprinkling of the blood of the goat on Yom Kippur
Analysis of the aggadda about the keruvim embracing when the Beit Hamikdash was being destroyed
Debate over whether Pesach Sheini is brought in a state of impurity or not, individual vs. the entire nation
Nobody was poorer than Hillel or wealthier than Rabbi Elazar ben Charsom, yet they made time for Torah
why the Kohen dried off after the mikva and the special rule of the clothing of the Kohanim on their bodies
The unique role of Eliezer the servant of Avraham in teaching Avraham's Torah to others
the debate over whether the lighting of the menorah in the beit Hamikdash was a full fledged service
The comparison of a Talmid Chacham to a King - when revenge and responding to an insult is permissible/prohibited?
Analyzing the procedure and stories of how the kohanim were rewarded with the opportunity to perform the service in the Beit Hamikdash
The 5 elements that were missing from the second Beit Hamikdash that had been present during the first Beit Hamikdash
The principle of "kol pinot sheata poneh" as found in laws of korbanot, birkat kohanim, lulav, and kriyat hatorah- why we turn to the right
the law of a Kohen gadol whose wife passes away while he is mid-service, impact for Yom Kippur and related topic on Pesach
When the Kohen gadol goes out of commission, what happens to his replacement when he is able to come back?
the kal vachomer of the tzitz to tefillin and the halacha of touching one's tefillin during tefilla
The avnet/sash of the Kohen Gadol and the Kohen hedyot- where they made from different materials?
The connection between the Kohen gadol preparing for Yom Kippur and Moshe preparing for receiving the Torah
The deeper connection between the deaths of Nadav and Avihu as an introduction to the holy day of Yom Kippur
The connection between the 7 days of preparation of the Kohen gadol before Yom Kippur and the 7 days before the inaugural day of the mishkan
The half shekel requirement obligation during and after the period of the Beit Hamikdash- 3 takeaways from Masechet Shekalim
The different offerings and other points of difference between the Kohen gadol vs the Kohen hedyot
The requirement of the menorah and other vessels of the Beit Hamikdash to be specific and precise dimensions and weight
The gate of King Yehoyachin and the story behind his exile and the keys to the Beit Hamikdash
The property of the aron kodesh that it was to be completely golden covered inside and out- application to yeshiva admission and students of Torah
Analysis of the arrangements amd contributions to the Oral Torah of Rabbi Akiva: Midrash Halachot-Hagadot-Klalim-Peratim
Analysis of Rabbi Akiva's ruling that consecrated funds may be used directly to pay Temple worker wages
The requirement for the vessels of the Beit Hamikdash to be specific dimensions and in their precise locations
The communal funds were used to purchase (among other items) the material for the korban omer and shtei halechem - these had to be grown from the Land of Israel
The principle and source of marit ayin and why it is not enough to be above suspicion before God
The importance and parameters of quoting the author of a Torah teaching when delivering that persons Torah to others
The debate between tannaim whether kohanim are required or exempt from giving the machatzit hashekel
The approaches of the rishonim to the mitzvah of machatzit hashekel and why we have a Yerushalmi masechet in the daf yomi cycle
Analyzing the halacha of not eating any foods or drinks after the korban Pesach meat/matza has been eaten
The story and meaning behind the words "Hashem's truth endures" that is recited in Hallel
Why the first blessing of the amida/shemoneh esreh finishes with only mentioning Avraham's name and not including Yitzchak and Yaakov
The principle of doing with less enhancement on Shabbat in order to not be dependent on others for charity
The debate of Rambam and Ramban on the existence of demons and the contemporary view of this issue
The concept of Leil Shimurim and the practices of the seder reciting shefoch chamatcha, opening the door and the cup of Eliyahu
The requirement and parameters of reclining at the seder - women's requirement in this mitzvah
The prohibition of eating on the afternoon of Erev Pesach to build up appetite for the matzah- application to Erev Pesach that falls on Shabbat
The requirement level of women in reciting havdala and what happens when Tisha Bav falls after Shabbat
The laws and parameters of not eating before one makes havdala- what to do when has no supplies for havdala until the next day?
The source, history and text of the havdala said in the arvit prayer at the conclusion of Shabbat
The concept of ein osin mitzvot chavilot chavilot as applied to kiddush, havdala, and birkat hamazon
The principle and parameters of kiddush b'makom seudah: how much must one eat/drink, what is considered "one" location, what if there is a break between the kiddush and seudah
The concept of Pores mappah umekadesh on erev Shabbat and Yomtov- application to when Purim falls on a Friday when to have the seuda
The 4 cups of wine at the Pesach Seder reflecting the 4 stages of the redemption from Egypt- why use wine?
The rule of one sin offering being guaranteed by a back up chatas- analyzing the principle zeh achar zeh
The different requirements of Hallel between the first and second Pesach and with or without the Beit Hamikdash
Discussion of the length of of the earth and firmament in relation to halacha of derech rechoka
The law of a katan who became bar mitzvah or a convert who became Jewish in between the first and second Pesach- must they bring a korban pesach?
The different nature of Pesach 1 vs. Pesach 2 when it comes to the obligation of women in the mitzvah
Analyzing The opinion of Rav Yitzchak that the impure individuals by korban Pesach were involved in meit mitzvah
Analysis of the baraita of the 5 hides that got mixed together where one hide had a blemish
The comparison of kibbutz galuyot to the creation of the heavens and the earth and the application to contemporary times and the atchalta dgeulah
The concept of the 4/5 prized possessions of Hashem in this world and the dual role or Avraham in history
The principle and parameters of ein maftirin achar hapesach afikoman- different interpretations of this phrase
The principle and parameters of brov am hadrat melech and application to korban Pesach, prayer, and megilla on Purim
The halacha and deeper idea behind not breaking the bones of pure meat but impure meat this rule does not apply
The halacha of public shaming those who were negligent and allowed their korban Pesach to become impure- applications of when shaming is and is not permitted in halacha
When does the day begin for the counting of clean days for a nidah and for korban Pesach
The principle and explanation behind the concept of ein korban tzibbur chaluk- we try not to split up the nation for the korban Pesach
The debate of whether a 50-50 pure/impure status of the nation tips to a majority status to enable the nation to bring the Pesach on time
The halacha that the korban Pesach is specifically brought because of the eating component and how this differs from other korbanot
The principle and parameters of tumah hutra vs. Dchuya b'tzibbur and its application to korban Pesach and chanuka
The debate between Rav and Shmuel whether the temperature of the bottom food item or the top food item impacts the kosher status of a hot liquid absorption - application to hilchot shabbat
How the principle of mekalkel impacts a korban Pesach that is slaughtered in error on erev Pesach that fell on Shabbat
The concept and applications of when a mitzvah is performed but it was done by mistake/error- does it count? In what cases?
The mitzvah of Simchat yomtov during the time of the Beit Hamikdash and after this time
The requirement to eat the korbanot when one is already full, the special extra significance of the korban Pesach in this halacha
Why the korban Pesach must come from a male sheep or goat as opposed to the korban chagiga
The principle and parameters of the concept "chaviva mitzvah b'shaata"- to perform a mitzvah at its preferred time
The various states of impurity in the bringing of the korban Pesach and the sending out of the camps for the impurities
The nature of the hallel that was recited during the bringing of the korban Pesach and the hallel that is recited at the seder
The law, source and analysis of the prohibition to slaughter the korban Pesach while one still has chametz in their posession
The halacha, source, and analysis of a person who is uncircumcised in eating the korban Pesach
The lishma requirement for those eligible to eat the korban and those registered for the korban
The requirement for a Kohen to eat the meat of a sin offering in order to achieve atonement for the owner of the offering- how this eating effects atonement and the role of the Kohen in Am Yisrael
The timing of the afternoon Korban Tamid when Erev Pesach falls on Erev Shabbat and how this effects daily mincha prayer
The story of the Kohen who improperly wore gloves to avoid getting dirty while working in the Beit Hamikdash- applications to chatzitza of the hands by different mitzvot
The laws of the pasuk "baruch shem kevod" said after Shema and the source and idea behind this phrase
The parameters of the custom not to perform melacha on 9 Av and the special law for Torah scholars
The source and halachic status of making havdala on motzai Shabbat and what to do when Tisha BAv begins when Shabbat ends
Analsysis and message of the story of Chanania, Misha'el, and Azariah and the statue at the time of Nebuchadnezzar
The parameters of the second day of Yom Tov outside of Israel and how one should practice when travelling to Eretz Yisrael from outside of Israel and vice versa
The concept of minhag hamakom when one plans to return vs. stay in the new location- application to communities moving from home countries and aliyah to Israel
The concept of exempting oneself from a mitzvah when one can obligate themselves as well
The principle and parameters of Ochel Nefesh on yomtov and application to service in the Beit Hamikdash
The distance of a mil regarding seeking out water for netilat yadayim and ten men for a minyan
The concept of rotzeh b'kiyumo as applied to chametz, idolatry and other items prohibited to benefit from them
The source and requirement for women to eat matzah on Pesach and observe the chametz prohibitons- analysis of women's role in the redemption from Egypt
The story and messages of Rav Matnah and the townspeople who came for water for their matzah
The question of yesh bishul achar afiya- is a cooking process that occurs after something was baked significant? Application to dipping challah into hot soup on Shabbat
The source and parameters of the minhag of kitniyot and the concept of shmurah matzah and application to the machine made matzah
The parameters of which vegetables may be used for the mitzvah of maror- the requirement of tasting the maror vs. Matzah- what if someone loses their sense of taste?
The requirement and parameters of matzah being owned by the one fulfilling the mitzvah- application to guests a Seder
The baking that takes place through a maaseh ilpas and whether it would create a challah requirement- defining the halachic process of baking and application to use of electric stove for baking matzah
Why matzah cannot be made from wheat of bikkurim- application to priority in berachot for bread of different grains, matzah for people who suffer from celiac disease
The requirement of shemira for the matzah- comparisons to making tzitzit, tefillin, and korbanot
The case of how to properly squeeze the juice out of a tameh grape without having impurity- application to laws of squeezing on Shabbat
Analysis of the case of Chametz of Terumah that was eaten on Pesach by a non-kohen and its application to the sale of chametz from a different time zone
Collateral chametz in the possession of a Jew vs. a gentile- application to tevilat keilim cases
Explanation of the principle of 'ein mevatlin issur lchatchila' and its application to the case of a mixture of chametz and non-chametz in a pot
The concept and explanation that chametz prohibits in a mixture on Pesach even the tiniest amount
The parameters and reasoning behind the prohibition to leave over chametz even after Pesach is over- chametz she'avar alav haPesach
Analysis of the debate between Rabbi Yehuda vs. Chachamim about the methods of destroying the chametz
The debate between Rava and Abaye of benefiting without intending to do so and the context of benefiting within the Beit Hamikdash
The parameters of yehareg veal yaavor and when one may save one's own life when another person's life will be lost
The halacha of doing business with non-kosher food species- application to owning a non-kosher hotel or restaurant
The discussion of the prohibition of eating a forbidden item and whether it extends to benefiting as well- application to the rule of not placing a stumbling block before a blind person
The definiton of bi'ur chametz and the debate about how it should be done- what to do when no fire is available or permissible?
The parameters of Rabbi Akiva's teaching on the impurity that gets passed on from an earthenware vessel- the principle of "tziruf" and its application to writing/erasing the letters before/after Hashem's name
The source of Rabbi Yosi's opinion in the teaching of his Rebbe- Rabbi Akiva- the unique law and deeper idea of earthenware that it can only become impure through what comes inside of it as opposed to its outer walls
The source and concept of a Biblical mikvah for vessels only requiring 3.5 ounces of water to purify- the debate and halacha of this kind of mikvah inside and outside the Beit Hamikdash
The test of Chagai to the kohanim and how it posed a challenge to the opinion of Rav- what lesson was Chagai was teaching with his test?
The rationale of Rabbi Meir to permit making chametz terumah impure by burning it together with impure chametz terumah
The parameters of the Torah commandment "lo titgodedu"- not to create factions within the Jewish people- does this only apply to prohibitions or even customs?
Analysis of the story of the bag of chametz that needed to be sold before the chametz prohibition set in
The debate over the latest time to eat chametz- application to longer or shorter days and how it impacts this timing
The crux of the debate whether one should continue to search for chametz beyond the 14th of Nissan- application to laws of gittin, dancing on Shabbat, basar v'chalav, and marriage on Shabbat
The requirement to watch over the found chametz to make sure it doesn't get lost- source of the custom to put out 10 pieces of chametz for the search
Is one required to search for chametz in a location that may have danger lurking there? Analysis of concept that we do not rely on miracles
The text of the bracha for the searching of chametz- why there is no bracha for bittul or bedika?
Prepare for Pesach 30 days before by studying the laws before the Yom Tov - the source for this idea and whether it applies to other holidays
The parameters of the time for the mitzvah of "tashbitu" and analysis of the source in the Torah
The bedika/search for the chametz takes place at night with a candle- may the lights in one's house be left on during the search? Can a flashlight be used for the search?
The principles of bedikat, bittul and bi'ur chametz- why searching for chametz is needed after the verbal bittul is already complete
The order of Pesachim in Seder Moed, the deeper meaning behind the name of the Masechet
The halacha of repairing the Beit Hamikdash and who is allowed to be involved in this work
Issues of chatitza by the ramp in the Beit Hamikdash during the service of the kohen- application to wearing tefilling on top of a cast on one's arm
The parameters and source of Rabbinic prohibitions being lifted in the Beit Hamikdash- "ein shvut b'mikdash" - application to law of shechita while wearing a bandage
The use of a temporary tent on Shabbat and its parameters- application to opening/usinf umbrellas on Shabbat
The appropriate behavior of husbands and wives while being intimate- discussion of curses of Chava and halachic anaylsis of women's practice to refrain from reciting kiddush levana
Spitting from private to public domain and vice versa- teaching of Resh Lakesh about the expected behavior of a Torah student
The status of a ledge that protrudes from a window in a house and defining reshut hayachid- application to a front porch
Tying tefillin knots on Shabbat- what is considered permanent vs. temporary and how it works if someone borrows tefillin and needs to adjust the straps
Tefillin on Shabbat, Yom Tov and Chol Hamoed- Sephardim, Ashkenazim, and in Eretz Yisrael
Bringing tefillin in from outside the eruv to protect them from getting damaged or stolen- application to question of women wearing tefillin
When the eruv string becomes ineffectice over Shabbat- can a gentile be called to fix it? May a Jew violate a Rabbinic prohibition to fix it? Should we tell people the eruv is down? Clarification: bow knots (tying shoelaces) are permitted on Shabbat, the debate is around using a bow knot to fix an eruv which could be problematic.
Joining enclosures together for shared Shabbat common area - application to joining groups for minyan
Joining people in different rooms/areas to make up 10 men for a minyan- application to balcony minyanim
Violating a Rabbinic prohibition to bring a sefer Torah during a time of danger- when a shvut d'shvut may be violated
Carrying from roof to roof items that were there from before Shabbat vs. Items that were still inside before Shabbat
The case of the water that flows on its own from private to public domain- how this impacts cases of indirect melacha
The parameters of the law of transferring between domains via a makom petur/exempt domain- analysis of the enactment of Shlomo
Defining the parameters of the owner's right of use in a residence that is rented out- what kind of items count for this law and how does it work in a hotel setting?
When an owner retains rights of usage in a residence he is renting out- does the renter need to contribute to the eruv? Does the owner need to live in the courtyard?
The measurement of food required for extending/joining the Shabbat boundary. Application and deeper idea within the laws of birkat hamazon
Establishing an eruv on someone's behalf who doesn't know that it's being done for them- application to chatzer, mavoi, techum, city Eruv- and the case of someone who explicitly does not want to be accounted for in the eruv
The amount of food required to establish eruv chatzerot/shituf mavoi - what happens if the food geta diminished on Shabbat?
Who is eligible/inelligible of taking over possession of the eruv for a joint alleyway?
The requirement for eruv chatzerot to be set up before bein hashmashot- application to Erev Pesach that falls on Shabbat- should the eruv be made of chametz or matzah?
The Rabbis were sometimes stricter than what is required by Torah law- paramaters and understanding behind this principle
Parameters of windows built into the wall in between properties/homes and application to the laws of eruv and yichud/prohibited seclusion
Joint eruv partnerships where one party forgets to contribute- does this nullify the partnership retroactively? Application to making berachot on behalf of another and making a mistake
The residence that is in a shul- is that considered a halachic residence- would it require the shul to have a mezuza?
The law of eruv for a student at the Rebbe's house- application to guests staying at a hotel, in a communal dining room, and scenario of hotel owner being Jewish
Defining the parameters of a place of residence in halacha regarding eiruv chatzerot, lighting chanuka candles, and mezuza
The halacha of renouncing domain rights on Shabbat- application to one who forgot to be mevatel/nullify befors the onset of the 6th hour on Erev Pesach
May an heir renounce the domain rights when the parent passes away on Shabbat? How far this rule extends in terms of the heirs continuation of the parent
The difference between one who violates Shabbat law in private vs. public and how to define the parameters of public desecration of Shabbat- how many times must the desecration occur? What is considered public?
The requirement to check the eruv in a city before Shabbat, who should be the one to check and how often this should be done
Abaye's teaching that permissible violation of a Rabbinic decree doesn't require one to ask questions about the action until after- was this a blanket allowance?
Rental of gentile domain after Shabbat has begun- application to sale of chametz on Shabbat before Pesach, gift giving on Shabbat
The potential for wine to be a positive factor in revealing the true depths of who a person truly is- how all of this comes out on Purim
How to setup an eruv chatezrot in an apartment building with Jewish and gentle residents to carry in the hallways and stairwells
The parameters of renting the shared area from the gentile in order to effect the eiruv allowing carrying in that space on Shabbat- how this law evolved over history
The law of eruv chatzerot when one of the residents of the shared area is a gentile or a Jew who does not observe the Torah and mitzvot
The halacha of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi that a city is treated as 4 amot is "prophetic words"- various interpretations of this concept of prophecy in the post Temple era
The city that only has one entrance vs. a city that has road with an entrance and exit- is the status based on straight vs. curved roads or the ability to go from one end to the other without obstruction?
The measuring procedure for the Shabbat boundary, ir miklat- city of refuge, and the eglah arufa- beheaded heifer in a murder case investigation
Rav Ashi's calculation of the extra space beyond the limits of the Levite city- application of this calculation to discussion in halacha about the requirement to use a microscope while checking sharpness of knife for shechita, bugs in food, etrog on sukkot
The extra 2000 amot of land around the Levite cities, how it was calculated, and why it has unique status in the land of Israel
How to interpret the pasuk of lo bashamayim hi- is it a reference to Torah Study or Teshuva?
The story of Rabbi Preida and the student who needed to study the shiur 400 times, application to the idea of maaser of one's time for others
The debate between Rav and Shmuel about the "new" King of Egypt and its application to a debate in monetary law
The penalty of going beyond the shabbat boundary and this law also being learned from the prophet Yeshayahu
Quoting a halacha in the name of a Sage that never said it- when this is allowed and how it fits with contradicting statements from other places in Shas
The principle of kol sheeino bzeh achar zeh - vlo b'vat achat - application to the laws of ma'aser and the meaning behind this halacha and concept
The halacha of two alleyways and the courtyard in the middle- principle of kofin al midat sedom and when it is applied
The halachic concept, source and depth behind the principle of a person's 4 amot of space- application to mechitza in shul
The machloket between Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Yosi regarding the parameters around which a person may leave Eretz Yisrael to study Torah- what happens when there is a clash with honoring one's parents and Torah study?
The principle of Rabbi Akiva being the authority in a machloket and Rabbi Yehuda's opinion being regarded over Rabbi Meir- application to the tefilla of Avinu Malkeinu
Permission to leave techum Shabbat to save a life, application to hatzalah returning from an emergency call on Shabbat
Is there a vertical Shabbat techum- boundary above 10 tefachim? Applications to riding on a wagon or bicycle on Shabbat
The parameters and background to the institution of techum Shabbat, halachic status of food that went beyond the techum and was then brought back in intentionally
Halacha of fast days that fall on Friday- do we break the fast before Shabbat begins? private vs. Public fast days, the story of Rabbi Akiva and application to breaking fasts when one is ill, choice between tzom gedaliah and Yom Kippur fasting
The tefillot of Rosh Hashana- do we add for Rosh chodesh? What about when Rosh Hashana falls on Shabbat? Is there Hallel or mention of joy? Do we make a shehecheyanu?
The nature of Rosh Hashana as a 2 day holiday that is really one long 48-hour period of holiday, applications to the laws of mourning and contrast to yomtov sheini of other holidays
When Shabbat and Yom Tov fall consecutively, application to eruv, laws of Yom Tov, the concept of hachana as a prohibition and as a requirement for preparing before Shabbat and Yom Tov
The principle of breira, its application to choosing which eruv is effective after the fact and questions about the use of parchment set aside for a sefer Torah to be used for non-holy purposes
The parameters and explanation behind the principle of techum Shabbat - is it Rabbinic or Biblical?
When the eruv food is destroyed or lost but it is unclear whether it was destroyed before or after Shabbat began, application to a doubt in the laws of beracha acharona
The effectiveness of an eiruv inside of a house that is locked and nobody has a key- may one break the lock to get in? Can one ask a gentile to do so?
Are tree branches considered to be private or public domain? The prohibition of "moshit"- passing between 2 people and the prohibition of the Levites to see the holy vessels of the mishkan
The concept and parameters of allowing one to violate a minor sin in order to prevent someone from violating a major sin, application to cheyt ha'eygel
The principle of mitzvot lav lehanot nitnu- does this apply only Torah mitzvot or even Rabbinic mitzvot? What is the nature of the mitzvah to comfort mourners and to bring joy to a chattan and kallah?
The concept of an Ohel zaruk- is it more like a car? A plane? How does it work for kohanim to fly on planes that fly over cemeteries?
The story of Rabbi Chanina and the onion that caused him to fall deathly ill, the concept and importance of praying for others
The bracha on and usability of keshut- dodder for eruv chatzerot, story of Rabbi Zeira and discussion around performing mitzvot with the reward as a motivation
The kinds of foods that may be used for eruv chatzerot, techum, and shituf mevo'ot, application to laws of berachot and water on Yom Kippur
The institution of eiruv chatzerot - what was included in this institution and how does it work
The principle of pi tikra yored v'sotem- the edge of a roof can conceptually descend and form a wall, analysis of when this is applied and discussion of modern day overpass bridges being used as part of city eruvin
What kind of gardens or parks are considered part of the eruv and which ones cause the eruv to be called into question when they are larger than 2 sa'atayim?
The parameters of an area not enclosed for dwelling (karpef), the source for this halacha in the mishkan, calculating the area of 2 sa'atayim (in ft) according to Rav Chaim Naeh, Rav Moshe Feinstein, and the Chazon ish
The principle of atu rabim u'mevatlei mechitza, at what point an area is too large to be able to turn it into a private domain and what kinds of mechitzot may be used for these larger areas
The institutions of King Shlomo: netilat yadayim and eruvei chatzerot, why this was accomplished during the days of shlomo and why it was considered such an incredible accomplishment
The case of an eruv that was set up on Shabbat intentionally/unintentionally and how it impacts one's ability to continue carrying within it
The teaching of Resh Lakesh that Avraham Avinu rescues any Jew from hell who has a circumcision, and the punishment of a Jew who has forbidden relations with a gentile
The aggadda of God creating man and woman as one creation and then splitting them, the source for 2 of the 7 berachot made at a wedding, the evils of not joining in the congregation's communal prayer
The laws of carrying when an eruv is dismantled or broken on Shabbat, do people need to be warned and told not to continue carrying in such a circumstance?
The case of building an eruv in the wilderness and why the Rabbis used the example of a caravan- was this an exclusive halacha or just the most typical case at the time- analysis of their principle that the Rabbis spoke contemporaneously
The principle of omed merubeh al haparutz (the solid sections of the fencing are greater than the breached/open sections) and the invalidation of an eiruv when an opening is more than 10 amot- application to the Seagate community Eruv
The rules of a lechi that is suspended above the ground more than 3 tefachim/handbreadths, machloket acharonim in the law of mechitza teluya
Analysis of the machloket Beit Shammai vs. Hillel, meaning of the phrase, "eilu v'eilu divrei elokim chaim"
How many walls are needed to permit carrying in a reshut hayachid? 3? 4? What constitutes a wall for this purpose?
Defining the parameters and power of the tzuras hapesach to transform a space into a private domain on Shabbat, application to laws of mezuza in different scenarios
Different methods for making sure the entryway to an alleyway is not wider than 10 amot, application to a section of an eruv that could not be used as an entrance because it had field mines
The status of the space in between the side-posts, the logic of min b'mino v'neior, guard duty on shabbat and minimizing prohibition, deeper idea behind this principle
The parameters of a reshut harabim: width of roads, 600,000 people- all at one time? In one day? On one street? In one city? Does it include visitors/non-residents?
What is the maximum permitted width of a breach in the wall of an alleyway to maintain its status of a place that can be carried within it, the new status of chatzer and mavui in the days after the Talmudic era
The special limmud of Eruvin to bring mashiach, the principle of lavud in the laws of eruvin and in what cases it may not/may not be applied
The principles of Eruvin are modeled after Torah structures of Sukkah and the Beit Hamikdash, the principle that we are more lenient in certain cases within a group because the group members can remind one another of possible halachic violations
The difference between a korah- crossbeam and a lechi- side-post, the deeper idea behind the institution of eiruvin and introduction to the masechet
How could Rabbah bar Rav Huna be measuring the water in his bathtub even if it was only mitasek? Closing thoughts on masechet Shabbat
Understanding how Chazal could use the stars and constellations to understand human nature, the concept of ein mazal l'yisrael
The permission to untie a load on an animal on Shabbat to alleviate the pain, application to trash bin on wheels
The principle of amira l'nochri on Shabbat, can a gentile act as an agent for halachic purposes?
The mitzvah of nichum aveilim when there are no mourners- applications to the wording of hamakom, which takes precedence: comforting mourners or visiting the sick, comforting mourners over phone or video call
The prohibition of asking a gentile to perform a melacha for a Jew on Shabbat- the reasoning behind it, and application to a case where there was a great need, mitzvah, or issue of kavod habriyot
Someone who is punished because of another person's actions, this person will be pushed away by Hashem, application to granting full forgiveness to those who wrong or insult a person
Reading out guest names and table numbers for a Shabbat meal, applications to name cards and waiters calling out guest names
Halachot of laundering- rubbing or shaking off dust from clothing on Shabbat, subjective to how particular a person is, application to one person cleaning off clothes of another on Shabbat
Squeezing the liquid out of a pickle on Shabbat, when it is prohibited/permitted, applications to latkes and gravy in meat on Shabbat
Which fruits may/may not be squeezed on shabbat, application to squeezing a lemon on Shabbat
Removing shells and bones from the table on Shabbat, the actions of Rabbi Zechariah ben Avkulos that led to the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash
The case of carrying fruit in a basket that also contains a stone, analysis of the melacha of meamer
How to remove dirt on a piece of clothing on Shabbat, difference between libun and menapetz
The halacha of separating egg-white and yolk, application to painting nail polish on Shabbat.
Veering from the truth to prevent a person from violating a prohibition unwittingly or intentionally
Defining the melacha of meshamer - is it borer or meraked, or a bit of both? The debate between the Rabbis in Yavne over the future of the Jewish people during the great crisis after the Temple destruction
Delaying a brit milah when the baby is ill, application to a time when government makes a policy out of health concern to delay the brit milah
The concept of a stillborn and how brit milah would be permitted on 8th day falling on Shabbat, application to taking blood from a dead body on Shabbat to identify the body
The halacha of a mother expressing milk to relieve pain of not being able to nurse her child on Shabbat, application to using nursing pumps on Shabbat
The source and requirement of hatafat dam brit- is blood integral to the performance of the mitzvah of brit milah?
The concept of hiddur mitzvah in the performance of mitzvot and specifically by milah, application to doctor adding stitches on Shabbat to ensure no scarring happens on the skin
The source for brit milah overriding Shabbat laws, how to understand this law- is shabbat merely pushed aside for the mitzvah or is Shabbat suspended for that time? Application to if there will be people violating Shabbat to get to a brit milah
The joy and sacrifice in history of Jews performing brit milah, how the joy of performing mitzvot by our ancestors was passed down for eternity
The parameters around violating shabbat for a woman who is in labor, applications to anxiety, and use of a dula on Shabbat
The laws around mothers nursing/carrying their infants/children in a place without an eiruv, application to children who are unable to walk
The requirement to judge others favorably and not suspect holy people of inappropriate behavior, how and when this applies
The mitzvah of hachnasat orchim, what is the definition of a guest- in-town vs. Out-of-town, the requirement to escort guests out of one's home
The muktzah status of items connected to the ground, applications to electric devices plugged into the wall such as fans or electric clocks
The laws of moving a kli shemelachto lheter when there is no clear purpose for doing so
The roots of the halachot of muktzah, the principles of kli shemelachto l'issur/heter, applications to moving items without any purpose whatsoever, to calm anxiety or avoid embarrassment
The laws of trapping/killing insects that: pose a threat for injury or poisonous, or those that pose no threat to life or injury
The halacha of 'gram kibui', when it is permitted/prohibited and the application to the kosher light switch
The importance and requirement for every individual to prepare for Shabbat with a personal touch rather than having others prepare on one's behalf
The power of observing Shabbat and the failure of the Jewish people when the man did not fall
The laws of what may rescued in the event of a house fire, in what scenarios may the fire be extinguished?
The source for changing special clothing for Shabbat is from the clothing of the kohanim, the law that a talmid chacham should have clean clothes
The requirement and source to have special clothing for shabbat. Application to undergarments, clothing for inclement weather, and facemasks to protect from a virus
How long must a knot be tied for to be considered permanent? Application to tying shoelaces. Analysis of aggadda of yeridat hadorot.
Defining the parameters of the melacha of kosher/matir- tying/untying- does a knot need to made in order to violate this melacha?
The permissible and prohibited cases of causing pain to animals, application to hunting
The laws of taking medicine on Shabbat- applications to vitamins, food supplements, tylenol and painkillers
The melacha of tanning/salting on Shabbat and whether it applies to food- applications to pickling, shaking salt into soup or other dishes on Shabbat
The prohibition of trapping on Shabbat and the parameters regarding domesticated animals, creatures that are not typically trapped, lesson of the Freebird- Tzippor Dror
The parameters of the melacha of tearing for destructive (mekalkel) vs. Constructive (tikkun) purposes, application to breaking a stuck door to let someone out on Shabbat
The deep idea/difference between Emet and Sheker, halacha regarding bringing two letters together on Shabbat- applications to opening and closing books with writing on the side, playing scrabble, puzzles and board games in general
The opinion of Rabbi Yosi that koteiv prohibition also includes symbols or images, applications to fingerprinting, rubik's cube, being filmed by a CCTV, and the Shabbat thermometer
The principles of gud achis, mechitza tluya, and lavud- application to making an eiruv in a camp setting with bunkhouses
The halachic status transferring from the sea to a boat and vice-versa- application to carrying on a boat on Shabbat
The principle of 4 amot in public vs. private domain, application to going less than 4 amot in a case of need
The source for the melacha of transferring between domains on shabbos, connection to Moshe telling the nation to stop contributing donations to the mishkan
The prohibition of milking animals on Shabbat, applications to nursing mothers on Shabbat and milking cows in Israel where no gentiles are able to assist
The rule of kavod habriyot to respect a dead body, application to preventing autopsies on Shabbat
The concept of "Chai noseh et atzmo", difference between humans and animals, application to carrying a toddler on Shabbat
When two people do a melacha together that couldn't be done alone, should they be obligated for violating Shabbat?
Whether disparate items in a vessel become formed into one entity, applications to carrying cigarette packs and key rings on Yom Tov
One violation of Shabbos for an action that combines multiple potential violations, application to how far one may go in violating shabbat for a severely I'll person
Why Har Sinai is called Har Sinai? What is the idea that the Jewish people were chosen to receive the Torah?
The kabbalat hatorah of Shavuot vs. Purim, the "excuse" of being forced to accept the Torah
Moshe added a day to preparing for the Torah on his own initiative- why Hashem agreed, and what it means that Moshe did this without Hashem telling him
The Rabbis authority from the secrets Hashem gives them, debate on hasagat gevul for forbidden mixtures
The permissible and prohibited cases of forbidden mixtures- reasoning behind the prohibition
Do not miss out on the learning of the Beit Midrash, learn Torah even on the day of death
The lesson Rav Huna taught his son about healthy living as part of a Torah life, applications to avoiding danger and vaccination for children
Using a muktza stone/item for cleaning oneself in order to avoid embarassment/maintain hygiene, application to tearing from toilet paper roll on Shabbat
The minimum ink prohibited for transferring between domains- defining the melacha of writing and erasing on Shabbat, 1 vs. 2 letters
The parchment used for Sefer Torah, Tefillin, Mezuza- the concept of going up in kedusha and not down
Carrying out a tax receipt on Shabbat- application to a door entry card or pass, requirement to check one's pockets for muktzah before leaving ones house on Shabbat
The halacha of combining solid food and liquid for applications in the laws of beracha acharona, eating on Yom Kippur, and Nazir
Measurements of food and other items for the prohibition of carrying between domains on Shabbat, may we reevaluate these amounts in contemporary context?
The melachot of shochet and tzovea- slaughtering and dyeing- applications to consumer purchasing, eating strawberries and the like on Shabbat
The principle and conditions of permitted borer on Shabbat, application to when one changes their mind and decides not to eat after the borer was complete
Analyzing the principle of melacha sheeino tzricha lgufa, application to the melacha of borer- separating on Shabbat
The opinion of Abaye according to Tosfot- when one must violate Shabbat out of fear of repercussions- applications to military conscription, Doctors treating patients
When one has a choice of violating multiple lighter prohibitions or one severe prohibition, which path should be taken? Application to pikuach nefesh with non-kosher food
Fire is a paradox, Halacha focuses on the creative power of fire as explained by Seforno and Rav Hirsch
Is Shabbos the culmination of the week or the energy for the week to come? The halacha of losing track of time in the desert
The "tinok shenishba" in the laws of Shabbat, berachot, and marriage - two approaches to the concept
Abaye quoting his step-mother regarding remedies for ailments, application to why when praying for sick we use the mother's name
Wearing an ear cloth on Shabbat- applications to gloves and earmuffs in cold weather, and gloves and masks during a virus pandemic
The rule of Marit Ayin and being careful not to be suspected by others of wrongdoing even when the action is permitted, applications to plunging toilets on Shabbat, hanging to dry drenched clothes, and drinking almond milk at a meat meal
Weaponry in halacha and hashkafa, walkie talkies for hatzala members, Jewish guard at the royal Palace on Shabbat
The order of putting on shoes, tying laces, special connection between shoes and tefillin
Wearing a plastic cover on a hat on Shabbat, the crown of Jerusalem kf Gold that Rabbi Akiva purchased for his wife
Halachot of carrying personal Identification without an eiruv on Shabbat: soldiers dog tags, youth movement pins, passport/id card, patient wristbands
Permitted ornaments for women on Shabbat- why the halacha changed, applications to pocket and wrist watches
Explanation of the story of the man who miraculously grew breasts to nurse his baby after his wife tragically passed away
The requirement of shevitat beheima- animals must rest on Shabbat, applications to leashes, seeing eye dogs, reflector belts, schlepping boxes unnecessarily
Is beautification for a man a prohibition of not adorning like a woman? The double-edged sword of beauty
Shabbat melachot are learned from the mishkan and creation of the world, where the #39 comes from
The principle of hatmana, insulating foods for and on Shabbat, the mandate to eat hot foods on Shabbat
Is there binyan with items? Applications to: sliding door that comes off track, broomstick, salt shaker/baby bottle, folding chairs and strollers
Muktzah status of chanukiyah and solutions for moving inside chanukiya on Shabbat to prevent it from being stolen or having to leave window open
The muktzah principle of migo d'itkatzai bein hashmashot- applications to wet clothing hung to dry before Shabbat, and permissibility of eating Chametz/Kitniyot on a Shabbat that follows the 7th day of Pesach
The principle of irui kli rishon- is there cooking of the small water droplets when refilling a tea cup on Shabbat?
Why R' Zeira was avoiding his Rebbe, Rav Yehuda? The debate about aliyah and R' Zeira's journey of aliyah
Cooking through the sun's rays or secondary hear, may one use the water heated by a solar heated water tank on Shabbat?
The prohibition to put oneself in a dangerous situation, one should not rely on miracles to occur
David Hamelech died on Shabbat and Shavuot- custom of Rut and Tzidkacha- answer to why David didn't build Beit Hamikdash, but doors of Kodesh Kodashim opened for him
The laws of the shin on the tefillin shel Rosh, how it should be made, why the letter shin specifically?
Halachot learned from "Ureetem Oto"- blind person wearing tzitzit, tzitzit at night, strings tucked in or out
Defining a garment for tumah related laws, the modern day discussion of the status of paper, toilet paper, tissues in the realm of hilchot niddah
Shabbat candles are for Shalom bayit, women's and men's role in the lighting of Shabbat candles
The halacha of spending limited funds on Shabbat lights instead of Chanuka lights- analyze 3 reasons for Shabbat candles and approach of Rambam
Lo tevaru eish- different interpretations, debate of Rav Yosi/Rav Natan, why Hashem 'waited' to create fire until after Shabbat
Sea travel within 3 days of Shabbos, analysis of rishonim, later commentaries and modern day discussion of cruise ships
The fundamental debate about the melacha of "losh" (kneading) between Rebbe and Rabbi Yosi Brebbe Yehuda- analysis of Iglei Tal, Rav Neventzal- practical case of salt in soup, sugar in coffee, and dipping challah in soup
Manufacturing a process that ends in a prohibition- debate of Beit Shammai/Hillel, analysis of causing the name of Hashem to be erased in a Torah indirectly
The unique law of the earthenware vessel that only becomes tameh on its inside- thought by Rabbi YY Jacobson in the name of the Kotzker Rebbe
The rabbinic decree on glass vessels- applications to using year round glass vessels for Pesach, glasstop stoves, and whether glass challah boards require tevila
Not to hold a sefer Torah "arum"- 2 interpretations of this word and many applications to the honor that should be given to the sefer Torah
Laws of harchakot- d'oraita or drabanan- debate of Ramban/Rambam, riding in a subway car touching opposite gender and husband doctor treating nidah wife who is ill
The halacha of wearing tefillin until just before shabbat, may tefillin be worn on Shabbat? Checking pockets before Shabbat
The halacha that a shul must be the tallest building, the aggadah of governmental responsibility
Saying Shalom in a bathhouse, writing Shalom in a letter and to someone not covering their head
The prohibition to not get involved in certain activities before Shabbos, similar rules found by Lulav, Chanuka, Megilla, Bedikat Chametz, and discussion why it is not mentioned by Shofar
When do the shvus (Rabbinic decrees) set in before shabbos? Communal acceptance of Shabbos, when does shabbos finish with regards to shvus?
Halacha of an item that was thrown and stuck on a brick-analysis of Tosfot, applications to babies in mothers arms, the mishkan and her vessels
Is a desert a reshut harabim? Are 600,000 people of foot traffic required as criteria for reshut harabim?
Mehalech k'omed dami of Ben Azzai, applications to standing for a zakein and talmid chacham going to a dirty alley
Doing a lesser prohibition to prevent a more severe one, the case of the cup of beer and the wrong bracha, calling off a hatzala call when there is no actual pikuach nefesh
Lifnei Iver in the case of the Mishna, tosfot vs. Other rishonim, the concept of lifnei iver as a bein adam lmakom and lechaveiro issue
Why the masechet opens with melechet hotzaa, is there is a chatzi shiur by this melacha, platas and returning cholent to the pot on shabbos, kreiva larayos of the Rambam and how its different than other prohibitions
The prohibition to count Jews, differences with Gemara in Yoma, ways of doing it permissibly, explaining the nature of the prohibition
Yehareg Ve'al Yaavor for Torah Learning, public shaming as one of the big "3", analysis of Rabbi Akiva and the saying of Shema
Baruch Dayan Emet, Rabbi Akiva, Nachum Ish Gam Zu, Hillel, Bitachon in Hashem vs. Oneself
The beracha of hatov umeytiv, differences with shehecheyanu, hearing good news that also might have bad elements in it
The bracha over seeing a king, Jewish vs. Non-Jewish, applicability in a modern royal leader, status of Prime Ministers of Israel
The beracha over seeing avoda zara, the specific worship of 'markulis', the special wording of the beracha
The 3 visions of peace in a dream: river, bird, and kettle, Maharal and Vilna Gaon's interpretation- the source for the minhag to break a plate at the tenayim ceremony at a wedding
The yehi ratzon/ribono shel olam said for a dream that one does not understand, may it be said on yomtov/shabbos? What is special about birkat kohanim for this text's placement
The brachot of gomel and sheasa li nes, what is the rule by an airplane? May a Holocaust survivor recite the bracha at a death camp they were in?
The order of havdala blessings, is meorei eish a birkat nehenin or shevach? May one use electric lights for havdala?
Washing hands should be immediately before one has a seuda, what constitutes a hefsek in between the netila and the seuda
Rules of cups for blessings: how full? Which hand to hold in? Washing it out, lifting off table, where to look, non-damaged cups- may one use a disposable cup?
When does the obligation to form a zimun begin? What if a person joins a meal late or leaves a meal early?
Not blessing 2 themes in one bracha, principle of ein osin mitzvot chavilot chavilot, the reason behind this concept and application to the laws of Purim
The 3 main berachot of Birkat Hamazon- different perspectives in the rishonim on the nature of these blessings- is the birkat hamazon born out of the eating or the satiation (or both?)
Story of Rabbi Eliezer freeing his slave- Rav Kook's explanation of the Torah's presentation of slave ownership, can a Golem be joined to a minyan? The novelty of this halacha according to the Rosh
The worker's birkat hamazon text, not to do melacha while saying a bracha, rule by Kriyat shema, davening from a smartphone
The source for zimun, is the birkat zimun an independent bracha or attached? Different practices of Sephardim and Ashkenazim- what should be said outloud.
Ikar/Tofel principle, 4 scenarios/categories, bracha rishona/acharona, does the tofel lose its bracha requirement?
The berachot made over smells- what category of beracha is it? What kind of foods/sources of smell require the beracha? What about food that is really just for eating?
The bracha on wine/bread exempts beverages/food during meal from requiring a new bracha- is this because of the bracha on wine/bread or because of the importance of wine/bread?
Many foods before you- which food does one bless first? 7 minim, what is enjoyable most, whole vs. cut pieces, when you have set courses at a meal, impossible burger with lettuce
How to define a tree for fruit: roots, trunk, or branches? The halacha of eggplant, i.e. using laws of nature to define a halacha, what bracha to make on a banana
The bracha on juice extracted from fruits vs vegetables, debate between Rosh/Rashba, Bracha Rishona/Acharona on fruit soup
What is Trima? The berachot on potato kugel, apple sauce, mashed potatoes, pringles- debate between Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and Rav Elyashiv
The 5 grains and their practical application, why are the 5 grains so special? What if the grain only acts as a binding element- honey cake, breaded schnitzel, licorice?
Beracha on medication: with taste, without taste, non-kosher. Beracha before and after on non-kosher food.
Nature of birchot nehenin- deoraita or drabanan, case of safek, beracha rishona vs. Acharona
Shaliach tzibbur that makes a mistake, the case of aseret yemei teshuva mistake, the shaliach tzibbur represents the level of the tzibbur based on episode of meraglim
Bracha sheeina tzricha vs. Bracha levatala- the source for this law, when it is prohibited and when it is permitted
A Kohen who murders cannot bless the birkat kohanim, the case of Pinchas, reckless driving and kohanim combat soldiers, does teshuva work?
The prohibition to sit or walk within the 4 amot of a person who is in the middle of davening, the reason based on the tefilla of Chana, the Rambam's formulation of the halacha, the severity of this halacha for a person who davens long and brings about that others sit down, the reasons for this halacha
The direction one should face for tefilla, the source for this halacha in Melachim I Perek 8, Reb Tzaddok's explanation, Mishna Berura on our kavana when facing the Beit Hamikdash
Aggadah of Maariv Reshut or Chova- comments of Rav Kook: why talmidei chachamim are called ba'alei treisin, the role of a communal leader, the admissions policy of Rabbi Elazar vs Rabban Gamliel, the importance of a being part of a good environment
The status of maariv based on "temidin and avot tiknum", what is reshut? Differences between maariv and Shacharit/mincha
Machloket Tanaim and Halacha the latest time to daven mincha, the Magen Avraham's reasons for permitting the "early" shabbos minyan and the debate on whether we rely on this- a creative solution to get early dinner and daven later
The laws of prayer in front of tzoah (waste), urine, foul smelling odors; may one spray lysol to cover up smell and reestablish environment for prayer? Praying near a baby with modern hygiene
The volume of one's tefilla, the tefilla of Chana as a source for this halacha, the Gemara in Sotah related about the ovrei aveirah, the helpful psak of the Shulchan Aruch Harav
Summary of daf halachot, need to go to bathroom- may one daven/say kriyat shema? Status of modern day bathrooms in halacha
Permitted Torah for a Baal Keri, the concept of being machmir, mar ukva's father waiting 24 hours between meat and milk, Yosef being machmir more than his brothers, when should one take on a halachic stringency
Review of main halachot of daf, what to do if you are behind and shaliach tzibbur has begun repetition, what to do if congregation is up to kedusha and you are still in your silent amida, the principle of shome'a k'oneh
Kriyat Shema D'oraita or Midrabanan? What would one do if they are not sure if they recited Shema? Which paragraphs of shema would be included in this debate? How Kriyat Shema is viewed by the Bavli vs Yerushalmi
Gadol kavod habriyot, where we find this concept in Shas, applications in halacha, the source and meaning behind kavod habriyot
Importance of halvayat hamet, Rambam on this mitzvah, bittul Talmud Torah for halvayat met, the nature of the exemption of the onein from mitzvot
Chatan saying shema on wedding night, concept of osek bamitzvah, tirdah d'mitzvah of the Rambam
personal additions to one's tefilla, the special yehi ratzon of Rav, the history of birchat hachodesh and its place on Shabbat
Is one required to hear the words of shema that they themselves are reciting? Is contemplating a 'word'-oriented mitzvah like saying it? Can Shema be recited in any language?
The obligation to wear tefillin while reciting Shema, why Chazal did not say the same about tzitzit, what if one doesn't have tefillin?
Interrupting Kriyat Shema for greeting or responding, why Yaakov didn't interrupt his Shema to greet Yosef, connected halachot of other parts of tefilla one is allowed to interrupt for
Chazal wanted to add the parsha of Balak into Shema, the meaning of the pesukim according to Ramban and Rashi, the concept of Tircha d'tzibbur, why these words of Bilaam almost made it into Shema
The source for birchat hatorah, the requirement to say birchat hatorah over the oral Torah, why the bracha is before learning and not after
Rabbi Meir praying for someone else to do teshuva interferes with their will, the importance of praying for others, listen to the wisdom of one's wife
Hashem's promise to Avraham that his descendants would leave Egypt with great wealth, the goal of yetziat mitzrayim, a fundamental of semichat Geula l'tefilla
Shnayim Mikra vEchad Targum, the acronym of Shemot, the requirement of even the "less" important pesukim, which commentary to study
Baruch Dayan Emet/Tov VeHameytiv, When bad things happen in the world to good people, the tefillin of Hashem and the tefilla of Hashem
The importance of davening with a minyan, the source for 10 being a minyan, not missing a day of going to minyan, the added element of davening in a beit knesset and not separating oneself from the community
- Don't leave another alone while they are still davening
- Two people should daven together at the same time even without a minyan
- Yissurin (Suffering) may be difficult to understand the 'why', but it is an opportunity to increase teshuva, Torah learning, and comforting others
- The best comfort we can give another is usually not through words
Saying Ashrei 3x a day, why we don't say the great Hallel everyday, the lesson of the missing nun in Ashrei
The history of kaddish, answering "amen yehei shmey rabbah", Rabbi Yossi and the voice in the churvah
- Making an early erev shabbat minyan in summer months
- Is Shema of morning/evening one mitzvah or two?
- What is the meaning behind the 2 daily recitations?